I read this in my devotional book by Charles Spurgeon the other day and was so encouraged. I thought I would share it with you.
"Is it not a wonderful and arresting fact that while others leave us and forsake us that God never does? He says to each of His own redeemed people, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." How often do people forsake those whom they call their friends when those friends fall into poverty! The tragedies of some of these cruel forsakings! May you enver know them! Friends who once were cherished are now forgotten. In fact, the man almost pities himself to think that he should have been so unfortunate to have a friend who has fallen so low, and has no pity for his friends because he is so much occupied in pitying himself. In hundreds and thousands and tens of thousands of cases, as soon as the gold has gone, the pretended love has gone; and when the dwelling ahs been changed from the mansion to the cottage, the friendship that once promised to last forever has suddenly disappeared.
But God will never leave us on account of poverty: However low we may fall, there it always stands: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." "I was especially touched by this short devotional because I have experienced many instances where so-called friends of mine have gone out of my life. It is easy to grow bitter and angry, isn't it? And as girls, it is so easy to resort to gossiping and backbiting. I know I am guilty of this as well. Keeping our tongues from evil isn't the easiest task, but that's why prayer is so important. God can give us the patience and strength to bite our tongues and keep silent. What can be very painful and hurtful is when the gossiping is being done toward you. One day it can seem like you have a huge amount of friends, the next day they could all be gone.
Thankfully, the Lord has blessed me with a small group of sweet, Godly friends that I trust and love. But I have experienced the stinging ache of feeling slapped in the face by people I once called my friends. I think it is so comforting to know that even when the closest loved one might turn around and desert us, God is always there. His love is unconditional. He is not fickle and gossipy. He is ready to take us by the hand and walk with us through any difficulty. What an amazing God we serve!
You have my heart
And I am Yours forever
You are my strength
God of grace and power
And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love
And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My unfailing love
Unfailing love
You are my rock
The one I hold on to
You are my song
And I sing for You
~Chris Tomlin
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