“For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you'” (Heb. 13:5).
This is a quotation from three Old Testament references: Deuteronomy 31:6 and 31:8, and Joshua 1:5. The writer of Hebrews simply updates these promises and gives them a New Testament setting.
The Lord Jesus is now seated on the throne of God and is waiting for the signal from His Father to descend into the earth’s atmosphere to be joined together physically with His waiting Church (1 Thess. 4:16-17).
While we who look for His appearing are going through our preparation time in anticipation of His return, we can be comforted in knowing that He has promised to be with us at all times. He has assured us that wherever two or three are gathered in His name, there He is in their midst (Matt 18:20).
Besides His presence with us as a corporate body, He has sent the Holy Spirit to indwell our individual bodies. The Holy Ghost always magnifies Jesus. Thus the spirit of prophecy (words given by the Holy Spirit to individual believers) becomes the very testimony (revelation) of Jesus Himself.
So in the Person of the Holy Spirit, Jesus resides continually in our tabernacles of stone (our churches) as well as in our tabernacles of clay (our bodies). Even though Jesus is in heaven with His Father, He has emphatically pronounced His abiding presence with us.
One Greek scholar has translated Hebrews 13:5 with five negatives: “I will never, never, never, never under no circumstances, be they ever so difficult; desert you.” I believe this is a powerful assurance for all of us.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.