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Jesus Isn't Leaving

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26
Jesus Isn't Leaving Book Cover

The longer we wait for something, the more hope diminishes. We wait for a phone call from a job interview and the days keep passing by. We hope for a child, yet another month goes by with disappointment from our bodies. We wait for a loved one to turn their life around, and they continue to make choices that lead to their destruction. The minutes, hours, days, and months stack up, and hope grows fainter.

don't hold back

Martha and Mary lost hope. It was the fourth day since Lazarus had died. He was beyond death. Even a resurrection at day one, two, or three would have been miraculous, but day four? That was beyond impossible. We cannot know what it was like to wait for Jesus, to call out to him, to wait with hope, and then for hope to die. Or maybe we do know what it is like. We have called out for Jesus, we have prayed, we have let him know the situation, but we have had to wait, and in the waiting, our hope has died. So, next time, why bother with hope?

This is where some of you are. Why bother Jesus about anything? It is too painful to hope again. It is one thing when another person disappoints you, but Jesus? That is brutal.

Martha and Mary knew disappointment, pain, and lost hope. That was where they began with Jesus. He came toward them, and they responded and didn’t hold back. If we can be honest about our pain, if we can express disappointment as fully and truly as these sisters did, then maybe, just maybe, we can get to a place where we can hope again.

who else?

Jesus longs to hear from you. The good, the bad, and the ugly. He sees it all, and when we release our words, thoughts, emotions, and more, he meets us with his love, grace, mercy, and power. Who else do we have but Jesus?

Psalm 73:21–26 says, “When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” In the Gospel of John, it says, “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God’” (John 6:66–69).

Jesus is with you. He isn’t leaving. In fact, he sent the Holy Spirit to be with you. He hears you, he sees you, and he longs for you to see him. Meditate on the Scripture from Psalm 73 or John 6 and write down any hope that rises up, even if it is just a glimmer. Hold on to this glimmer and ask the Holy Spirit to expand your hope. God isn’t leaving you.

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Daily Question

When have you felt alone recently? How were you reminded that Jesus was still with you?

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Comments (11)

My husband lost his job with no reason being given. He has not been accepted anywhere else and we are struggling to keep our heads up about it. I find God in the scripture but feel lost in the world. I call out to Him but don’t hear His response. I feel very much like King David pleading for help and feeling so alone but still trusting that someday God will follow through and provide.

Praying now for you Miranda. Praying you will know God is with you and truly feel His presence. Praying God will provide for your family and that you will see Him at work today.

On my nature walk yesterday beside my path, there was a white business card and on the back were two hand- written scriptures: Romans 8:18 and Is 26:3&4 This morning, in my daily devotional "Jesus Calling" reading for today’s date, one of the scriptures to read was Is 26:3. This is absolutely no accident….Jesus is indeed with me, as I walk through the shadows of these days. These signs give me renewed hope, and a lifting of my spirit. The scriptures bring comfort, because I know in my heart, this is God speaking to me, encouraging me to not give up hope.

I felt alone when I was told my labor wasn’t progressing (at all… and that I would have to be induced). As a first-time mom, I was disheartened to hear that my body wasn’t doing what God created it to do. I felt inadequate, sad, embarrassed, and ashamed. But then I remembered that God has a plan; His plan doesn’t happen on my time or in the way I would have planned it, but that’s what makes it even more beautiful!

I have been feeling very alone over the past couple of months, especially during this COVID-19 nonsense. I have my husband and my children but I am struggling not being able to gather with other believers. I feel like I’m living on an island with a lighthouse. Keeping the light … alone. I have not lost faith in my Jesus, but maybe I have some rebellion in my heart that needs to bow at his feet. "If you loved me Jesus, I wouldn’t have to go through this." I haven’t thought those words, but I think I’ve felt them a lot. His words spoke to me this morning. "I’m glad this happened, so that you would believe." I need to grow in my dependence on Him, especially when He’s all I’ve got to lean on, like now. It’s not easy, but it will display His power in my life if I let it.

well… wow… in the midst of the global pandemic for some reason this first question strikes a cord. As the term "social distancing" has become a household phrase I do in deed feel the burn frequently that I am alone. My church has a virtual prayer group and I have a marco polo chat thing that is semi active with some believer friends… BUT this is hard. The people I do see and actually interact with are not believers…. our interactions sometimes feel rather shallow and I long for fellowship. BUT here’s the one TRUE BUT.. when I make the time and when I truly reflect I know Jesus is here. I am never alone. Isolation can not rob me of knowing what is real.

Being in lockdown during this pandemic has been very isolating. There are so many unknowns which can easily fill me with fear when I start to go down the rabbit hole of what if’s. Everyday God has reminded me that he is with me and my family. He is protecting us and keeping us safe and healthy. He is providing for our family and we are able to buy food, pay our bills and live comfortably during this time. I know he will not forsake us, no matter what happens. I have faith and trust in Him.

So i am 7 months pregnant and this is my first baby and since COVID hit it took away my baby shower with it. I tried to get people together for an online baby shower but nothing happened. Well just the other day when i thought that i would no longer get to have a baby shower a friend from church contacts me and asks if she can throw me a baby shower in the coming weeks. She warned me that it will be small but it will still be a baby shower. I said yes with out a doubt and i am okay with it being small I’m just so great full that i still get a baby shower for my handsome baby boy.

I have felt alone this past week, almost not able to pray because I felt like I was asking Jesus for too much and I felt selfish. I was reminded by my best friend that Jesus hears me, He is always with me. He isn’t leaving.

As long as I have my husband, I don’t feel alone. I am basically a loner. But I can be an extrovert when I need to. My problem is I don’t know how I would handle it if I became a widow.

I have felt alone in my marriage. This days lesson reminded me I am alone. I heard that today in these words

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