“You’re going to be with me, right?”

A boating accident found my youngest son spending a Sunday afternoon in the emergency room. Then several weeks later, surgery was inevitable. As we sat at the dinner table the night before surgery was to take place, our son began asking questions. Up to that point, he seemed nonplussed and unconcerned. But the night before told a different story.

We had known the procedure was necessary and not elective for a couple weeks, but this was the first question my son had asked about the procedure.

“Of course, Hon. Dad and I will both be there. When we arrive, we’ll get you registered then they will take us all back to the pre-op area where about two dozen different people will come in and ask you for your name and your date of birth and what kind of procedure you’ll be undergoing. Then they’ll put an IV in to give you all your medicine. Then they’ll wheel you back in the bed to the operatory. A mask will be fit over your nose and mouth, and they will ask you to count backwards from ten…”

“Or I could give them the digits of pi up to about the 15th digit!”

With a chuckle I answered, “Yes, I suppose you could. I bet you’d be the first patient to ever do that! But you won’t get past 3.14 and you’ll be asleep. You won’t remember a thing after that.”

“You’re going to be there the whole time?

“Absolutely. We’ll be with you while you wait beforehand, and then once they take you for surgery, we’ll wait in the waiting room until they tell us you’re ready to see people in the recovery room afterward.”

“You’re not going to leave though, right?”

“No, Sweetheart. Not even to go get a Starbucks. Dad will probably sleep in one of those uncomfortable waiting room chairs, and I’ll read a book. We won’t leave. You won’t ever be alone. You won’t be aware of the procedure-and that’s a good thing. But whenever you’re awake, I’ll be close by. I promise.”

“Okay, good.”

He had undergone surgery as an infant a decade and a half prior but he had no recollection of it, so he began to have some concerns about what the procedure entailed. He had not asked a single question in the intervening time since we met with the surgeon for our pre-surgical consult. But on this particular night, he practically tripped over himself expressing each question and ensuring he understood.

At the root of his concerns, what he really wanted, was to know that he wouldn’t be left alone. And he needed to hear it a couple different times in a couple of different ways for additional insurance.

As I allayed his fears, I started to think of how that exchange is much like my relationship with God.

I ask Him questions to things He’s often already told me the answer to.

“God? Are you there?”
“Yes, I’m right here.”

“God, I feel lonely.”
“You might feel lonely, but you’re not alone.”

“God, you won’t leave me right?
“Sweetheart, I’ve already told you, and put it in writing in my Word just to assure you. I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

How often do we just need God’s assurance, as our Good Father, that He is there, and that we are not alone?

If you are feeling alone or lonely, remember God’s assurances today. He doesn’t change and He doesn’t lie, so you can trust Him to do as He has said He would. “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19 NLT). “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow” (James 1:17 NLT).

Below are 15 verses to remind you that you are not alone. God loves you and is always with you:

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT)

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT)

“No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.” (Joshua 1:5 NLT)

“This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NLT)

“Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.” (1 Chronicles 28:20 ESV)

“The LORD will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession.” (Psalm 94:14 NLT)

“May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us or abandon us.” (1 Kings 8:57 NLT)

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 NLT)

“For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.” (Deuteronomy 4:31 ESV)

“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.” (Psalm 27:10 NLT)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)

“The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” (Psalm 23:1 NLT)

“I will not abandon you as orphans–I will come to you.” (John 14:18 NLT)

I’d love to hear which scripture is your favorite when you’re feeling alone. Please let me know in the comments below.

Because of Him,
#HopePrevails!

 

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