Destination Approaching: He Will Not Leave You Nor Forsake You

Happy Saturday, and welcome to this week’s His Path Daily Destination Approaching post!
As we near Sunday, this is our opportunity to pause, reflect, and re-center as we prepare our hearts to gather in worship with the Body. May we not lose sight of the GIVER, even as we enjoy His many good gifts.

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As I plop into my desk chair, sit behind the keyboard, and get ready to write after a very, very long week at work, it’s ironic how quickly my emotions cycle.

My first thoughts are about time—maybe I just don’t have time to write. Then, after a few breaths, I think: I need this more than I realize. After all, as I’ve said many times before on this blog, I primarily write as an outlet for myself. It’s my modern form of journaling—one that’s often neglected.

But then my mind begins to slow... and I find myself so thankful for this moment—a brief respite in the midst of a busy day.

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It gives me a chance to step back a little—and what I initially feel as a stressful week slowly reveals itself to be filled with undeserved blessings:

• A wife and family who love, support, and encourage me

• Brothers and sisters in CHRIST who have reached out to say they’re praying for me and my family

• A job that—while busy—is rewarding

• A leadership team that recognizes my work and provides well for our needs

• A garden I just got to start—(yes, I’m excited!)

• And right now, the sweet gift of listening to worship music as I prepare to play and serve my church family tomorrow

It’s the perfect time to zoom out even more—and deepen in, to rest in the One who is the GIVER, the ORCHESTRATOR, the PROVIDER of all of it.
Even the trials.
Even the lack of sleep.
Even the long days.
All of it is shaping me into the image of JESUS.

“For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him.”
— 2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV)

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Maybe today we focus on just one promise.

Not the “promises” that I’ll have a good night’s sleep…
Not the “promise” of a thriving garden, a perfect dinner, or a paycheck that always exceeds the bills…
Not the “promise” that my family will greet me with cheers when I come home from work (though, maybe they would if I were less of a grump sometimes! Ha!).

No—the promise that’s been on my heart today is this:

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
— Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

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Can we just sit in that for a moment?

This is the GOD we worship.
Not the god of good vibes and sunny days.
But the GOD of all days.
The same yesterday, today, and forever.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
— Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

That alone brings such a deep, steadying comfort. My daughter and I were just talking about this recently—when He allows trials, He doesn’t suddenly become a different GOD. He is unchanging. His purposes remain.

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So tomorrow, as you walk through the church doors—whether you come in celebration or in grief—know this:

He will not leave you nor forsake you.

Sadness is real.
Grief is real.
Trials are real.
You don’t need to fake joy or paste on a smile.

In fact, if we pretend everything’s fine, we’re not being spiritual—we’re calling GOD a liar.
“In this world you will have trouble…” JESUS said that. Let’s not pretend He didn’t.

There’s a difference between having a pity party and being real about your pain.
So be real in your grief.
Be even more real in your faith.

And take joy in this truth:
He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Say it again—He will not leave you nor forsake you.

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I don’t know what kind of day I’ll have tomorrow—or for the rest of the evening, for that matter—but I do know Whose day it is.

Maybe I’ll need to come back and re-read this tomorrow.
Or next week.
Or next month.
(…or all three.)

But one thing I know:
His promises never fail.
He will not leave me nor forsake me.

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May we walk into Sunday with confidence—to worship our never-forsaking GOD.

His,
~Matt