DAILY TEXT, From today Sunday November 20, I will never leave you and I will never forsake you (Heb. 13:5).

DAILY TEXT, Sunday November 20, I will never leave you and I will never forsake you (Heb. 13:5).

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Sunday November 20

I will never leave you and I will never forsake you (Heb. 13:5).

Have we ever felt completely alone, with no one to help us deal with a problem? We are not the only ones. Even some faithful servants of Jehovah in the past felt this way (1 Kings 19:14). At such times, let us remember this promise from Jehovah: “I will never leave you and I will never forsake you.” So we can confidently say: “Jehovah is my helper. I will not be afraid” (Heb. 13:5, 6). The apostle Paul wrote these words to Christians living in Judea around the year 61. What he said reflects the same sentiments as the words in Psalm 118:5-7. Like the writer of that psalm, Paul knew firsthand that Jehovah was there to help him. For example, more than two years before writing the letter to the Hebrews, the apostle made a perilous journey by boat in the midst of a violent storm (Acts 27:4, 15, 20). Both on that trip and in previous years, Jehovah helped Paul in different ways. w20.11 12 pars. 1, 2.

What might Paul have wondered, and why?

It was about the year 56. A mob dragged Paul out of the temple in Jerusalem and tried to kill him. The next day, when he was brought before the Sanhedrin, his enemies were about to tear him to pieces (Acts 21:30-32; 22:30; 23:6-10). At that moment, Paul may have wondered, “How much longer can I put up with this mistreatment?” Clearly he needed help.

How did Jehovah help Paul through Jesus?

What help did Paul receive? The night after he was arrested, the Lord—that is, Jesus—appeared next to him and said: “Have courage! For just as you have borne full witness of me in Jerusalem, you will also have to bear witness in Rome” (Acts 23:11). Those words of encouragement were just what he needed. Jesus congratulated Paul for the testimony he had given in Jerusalem and promised him that he would arrive safely in Rome, where he too would bear witness. After receiving that promise, he must have felt as protected as a baby nestled in his father's arms.

How did Jehovah help Paul through an angel? 

What other difficult situations did Paul have to face? About two years after the events in Jerusalem, the apostle was on a ship bound for Italy. Suddenly, a storm raged so strong that the crew and passengers thought they were going to die. But Paul was not afraid. Why not? He told those on the boat: “Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and to whom I render sacred service appeared by my side and said: 'Don't be afraid, Paul. You have to appear before Caesar; furthermore, God has given you the lives of all those who sail with you.'” Through an angel, Jehovah repeated to him the promise that he had made earlier through Jesus. And so it was: Paul arrived in Rome (Acts 27:20-25; 28:16).

What promise of Jesus strengthens us, and why?

What help do we receive? Like Paul, we have the support of Jesus. For example, Jesus makes this promise to all of his disciples: "I will be with you always until the end of the system" (Matt. 28:20). Why do those words strengthen us so much? Because we all go through times that are uphill for us. For example, when a loved one dies, the pain we feel may last for years, not just a few days. Others have to face the ailments of old age on a daily basis. And there are those who have very bad days due to depression. Despite everything, we have the strength to carry on because we know that Jesus is with us “every day”, even the darkest days of our lives (Matt. 11:28-30).

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