Jesus Never Leaves

Read: Deuteronomy 31:1-8

“Incoming!” Kason ran at top speed and jumped off a stump into a pile of freshly raked leaves.

Grandpa leaned on his rake and laughed as Kason peeked at him from the center of the pile, where only the top of his head and eyes were visible. “Thanks for helping me today, kiddo! You deserve a nice jump or five!”

“Come on, Grandpa!”

Grandpa strolled over to the leaf pile and fell backward beside Kason. “Just as comfy as I remember,” Grandpa joked. Kason and Grandpa lay in the leaves facing the sky as the wind picked up. Several colorful leaves pulled free from tree branches and descended in spirals, twirls, and lazy drifts.

“I wish you didn’t have to leave,” Kason said softly.

“Me too, Kason. You know I’ll visit you as often as possible—and of course, you can visit me anytime!”

“Yeah, but it won’t be the same.” Kason sighed deeply. “Everyone leaves.”

“Sometimes it feels like that,” Grandpa agreed. “But don’t forget there is someone who never leaves.”

“Jesus?”

“You said it, kiddo! Throughout the Bible, God continually showed His people that He was near them. When Moses was nearing the end of his life, Joshua was preparing to take over leading the people of Israel into the promised land. Moses reminded Joshua twice that he didn’t have to be afraid because God would never leave him.”

“I bet Joshua was sad and maybe scared because Moses wasn’t going to be there anymore,” Kason mused.

“Maybe that’s why Moses told him twice that God wouldn’t leave him.”

Grandpa nodded. “Sometimes I have to remind myself of God’s promises over and over when I’m feeling anxious or sad too. But like Joshua, we can trust God’s promise to never leave us. Jesus died for our sins to give us eternal life with Him, and He is always with us.”

Kason reached out and caught a falling leaf, handing it to Grandpa. “I’ve got an idea, Grandpa. Let’s each write ‘Jesus Never Leaves’ on a leaf and keep it. When we start missing each other, we can look at it and remember God’s promise!”

“Jesus never leaves.” Grandpa winked, waving the leaf in Kason’s face. “Clever! Wonder who you get that from?”

–Savannah Coleman

How about you? Do you ever feel like lots of people leave you? Maybe you had to move, a friend decided to stop talking to you, your parents got a divorce, or someone you love died. People leaving us can bring sorrow and loneliness. But there’s good news: Jesus never leaves! He gave His life to save us and promises to always be with us. We can be strong and courageous, knowing God is with us wherever we go.

Today’s key verse: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Jesus never leaves