I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

In times when our world seems to be defined by nomadic relationships and shallow commitments it is more than wonderful to know that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
The writer of Hebrews records God’s never never ever promise – “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”
There is an emphatic dynamic embedded in this particular verse of Scripture, which the English translation from the Greek does not adequately capture or convey. Students of the Greek language know it to be a double negative, which is designed to strengthen the statement – removing it far beyond all doubt.
The Amplified Bible perhaps says it best: “For God Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down; nor relax My hold on you! Assuredly not!”
In other words, “I will never, never, never leave you; never ever! And that’s a promise.”
But, sometimes the nearness of His presence is not always felt. There are times when it seems as though the Lord is no where to be found. We cry out, and there is no answer. We seek desperately for some token, and find none. Yet He is still there. And often we do not realize it until after that season of silence has passed.
It is then we discover just how near He was to us. Perhaps, like the Psalmist, we may view such seasons as our having been “in the shadow of His wings.” Yes, He is near; even when it seems so dark.
Consider this brief “fly-over” of a few high summits in the mountain range of God’s Faithfulness:
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” (Genesis 28:15)
Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the LORD, Heis the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses,so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. (Joshua 1:5-6)
For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people. (1Samuel12:22)
And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. (1Chronicles 28:20)
I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. (Psalm 37:25)
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10)

Summing it all up in one sentence — “I will never, never, never leave you; never, never ever — and that’s a promise!”