The Promise and Its Conditions: A Reflection on Hebrews 13:5

“I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

This is a personal promise from the Lord, one that the hearer is ready to gladly receive. And rightly so. But are we also willing to consider the conditions of this promise?

For this, let us read the verse in its fullness:

Hebrews 13:5

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

Reaction, Mindset, Goal, and Accountability

Running the Race to Win and Fighting the Fight for the Knockout Blow

Paul wrote these letters to the Corinthians while he was in Ephesus, which is in present-day Turkey, and the recipients were in Corinth, which is in present-day Greece. Around AD 53-55, he encouraged the Corinthians to live disciplined and purposeful lives, much like athletes who train rigorously to win a prize.

So how does this relate to us today? Let’s dive into the verses as they were written, and then explore their equivalence in today’s modern vernacular.

“But everyone striving controls himself in all things. Then those truly that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. So I run accordingly, as not uncertainly; so I fight, as not beating air; but I buffet my body and lead it captive, lest proclaiming to others I myself might be disapproved.” 1…

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Psalms 31:24

The phrase 'Be of good courage. Speaks of' fastening upon, to be constant and be established.

For we know there will be moments when certain things and circumstances will attempt to make you lose faith, and other challenges will inundate your life. Even though you have faith in the Lord, there are moments when you are not constant in your fellowship with Him because other things consume your time more than your walk with the Lord. Consequently, you may find yourself feeling unstable and ungrounded.

But “Be of good courage,” that is, be constant and established. Therein lies the promise: the Lord shall strengthen your heart. For His mercy’s sake, as your hope remains in Him.

Reading from Psalms 21:5

His glory is great in thy salvation: honor and majesty hast thou laid upon him.

Honor and majesty hast thou laid upon him. (You the believer)

Not only are you now saved, furthermore:

Honor and majesty are laid upon you. (Through Christ)

Honor speaks of an imposing form and appearance. That all will see. Beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory and a goodly honor. As majesty, re-emphasize the Lord's honor upon you.

Based on the latest painting

The Power of Spiritual Wisdom

One does not teeter on the fence of decision-making when they are called to transcend barriers. Their focus should not be swayed by the external forces compelling them to choose. Instead, serenity and the readiness to respond will manifest when their attention is devoted to the Word.

Check the art gallery for the painting.

ALL THINGS

The greatness of God is beyond everything and definitely whatsoever you are going through.

Let us look at John chapter 1 verse three. (John 1:3) For an insight to the phrase “all things.”

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Upon first glance of the passage above, even with our focus on the phrase “all things,” we perceive it as a whole.

However, the word describing the phrase “all things” carries a far insightful meaning. It speaks not of a whole at once, rather all things as in an infinite detail. This is the Greek word, pas – meaning each, every, each part and parts. Every item of creation, one by one.

Hope in Christ is the reflection of an earnest efforts to become complete.

The word ‘hope’ here, implies a good or a pleasing anticipation. And anticipation is confidence. With confidence we obtain the discernment and thrust needed to navigate forward in the journey of life.

And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as Christ is pure.

1 John 3:3

Though we in our human nature cannot purify ourselves, but as we see Christ as our hope at all times and in all circumstance, the clinging residue of a deprave world shall not be to us a contamination.

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Psalms 119:130

In the verse above, the term “the entrance” signifies an “opening”. For the rest of this year, make it a habit to open your Bible every morning to kickstart your day. Before you delve into reading, take a moment to pray for guidance on where to begin.

The phrase “gives light” embodies the concept of dawn, symbolizing the start of a glorious day.

As we unveil His messages to us through Bible reading, may our day be filled with the enlightenment of understanding and glory. With the innocence of a child, let us allow the Lord to guide us, rather than allowing the unresolved issues of life to impose upon us a state of discomfort and worry.

Open the Word and receive your blessing.

“Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.”

Proverbs 4:26

That is to say, do the right thing and do it constantly and let it be the established path you walk on.

The literal text reads:

Study the track of your feet, then all your ways will be established. (The feet represents where you go, physically and mentally)

When we study, we observe, and through observation we learn to put to actions those things that we are learning.

Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

Psalms 119:117

In our own ways, we shall go as we please, but become weary if we are not supported by the Lord, continually.

Exposition:

The phrase “Hold me up” speaks of the refreshment that comes after an establishment.

Often, when the mind is not established. Consequently, it wanders, and the individual is drained. Which is the absence of being refreshed. However, here is a hope: We read, “I shall be safe.” This speaks of the awareness of that which is right, in its absence.

THE TWO PROMISES

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 54:17

Herein, we have the two promises. One, of a physical protection that no weapon formed against you will prosper. Observe the terminology used. "No weapon that is formed" against you. Meaning there will be obstacles in your path. Even though you are a believer. However, although these things be formed against you. It shall not harm you. This is the promise of the Lord, but with a condition. Of which we shall careful observe in the conclusion of this exposition.

The next promise to the believe from the verse above deals with a state of mental and emotional protection. To this we read:

"Every…

Insight

Genesis 6:11

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

• Violence

The word violence used here, in the Hebrew language חָמָס

In English this is the same word, those who enacted the horror upon Israel, called themselves. (Hamas)

Reflect from childhood to now as an adult.

What were those things that were dear to you and those that are dear to you now?

As a child your new toy captures your attention before you fall asleep and in awaken, it is the first thing you seek to look upon and take in your presence.

In relation to this, today’s verse is from Psalms 119:15, we draw the same idea from this passage.

It reads, I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Regardless of what might have happened yesterday. How you perceive a new day, it will determine and shape how you experience today.

The phrase:

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed."

• It should birth in you the mindset of being grateful. Which is an essential part to start each new day.

WISDOM FROM THE PROVERBS

Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. Proverbs 24:27

In other words, focus on the little things that you rightly do, though difficult at times, but your business should reflect consistency, which will ultimately lead to an establishment. May your question, if need be, Lord what is my business? Bless it, Father that I may find rest therein.

Concerning this verse, Swaggart once said, “Take care first to attend to the business, and the business will ’build the house.’”

Ordena tus labores de fuera, y tenlas listas para ti en el campo; y después edifica tu casa. 

Forma primeiro a tua lavoura e levanta a tua casa, então, estarás à vontade para constituir a tua família. 

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 3:10

Without patience you cannot endure. And what is kept in your heart will positioned you to be in the right mind or the opposite thereof.

The word kept, used above is the word tēreō, which implies to attend to carefully, to watch with the eyes, to prevent from escaping.

Considering this is how we have to keep the Word of God.

• To watch

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Exodus 14:14

To hear, at times it is only a consideration towards an action on our part. That is to say, hearing things doesn’t mean it is accepted. But for the learning heart, the individual who hears, let them hear that they may learn. For learning is built upon the applying of those things we have heard in our life and living.

The verse of Exodus 14:14 above, is a situation wherewith the individuals or individual finds themselves in a circumstance of hopelessness due to the fear of the past which is now resurfacing before the individual. In such cases, bewildered becomes the mind. Heighten are the senses, in seeing the individual see things, but for the worse. In hearing, the individual only hears doom and despair. In feeling, when all is numb, the ability to reason becomes…