In reading back through my seminary notes, I came upon some Jewish background material talking about what is called the roughly four-hundred-year “Intertestamental period,” which spans between the Old and New Testaments. Throughout all of this seemingly silent period, I noted that my professor, Dr. Ray Gannon, shared a truth that struck a powerful chord in me: “The Jews Never Believed that God Abandoned Them.”
It is almost as though God is saying – “I’m not leaving! No matter what you do or what else happens, I’m still the God who revealed myself in the Old Testament (at that time) and I will honor my word.” God tells us in Malachi 3:6, “For I the Lord do not change…”. The New Testament reveals that same truth about Jesus Christ in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The Scriptures share God’s promise to you that He “will never leave you nor forsake you” (NIV, Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5). The New Testament book of Hebrews echoes this promise in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
The next time you feel as though the storms have overwhelmed you, or the challenges of your situation have brought you to the breaking point, you need to remember something. Even in the middle of your desert experiences, there is someone absolutely incredible on your side who is not leaving. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our God is able to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (KJV, Ephesians 3:20). So, don’t give up! Keep swinging…keep praying…keep singing. Because a God-sized home run is just around the corner.
Blessings!
Marshall
