Following God

READ: PSALM 25:3; ROMANS 8:31-39; HEBREWS 10:19-23

Have you ever followed a celebrity who ended up in trouble? It can make us feel embarrassed that we were ever supporters of this person as their wrongdoings are exposed. We may regret ever spending time following them. It can be so disappointing.

People disappoint us in other ways, too. Maybe you’ve looked up to a parent or other adult in your life, and then they left. Maybe you spent so much time trying to impress them, trying to win their love, but they simply left without a glance back.

But even when people let us down, we have this hope: following God is not like following a person. When we know Jesus Christ, He stays a part of our lives. We can read His Word, we can pray to Him, we can gather with His people, and we can grow in our relationship with Him each day. We don’t have to be afraid that He will abandon us or turn out to be untrustworthy—His love never fails (Psalm 13:5). Out of love, Jesus died and rose again because God wants to be with us so badly. And one day, He will return to dwell with us forever in renewed creation. In the meantime, He is always with us, and He never leaves us. Nothing can ever come between us and God. Our relationship with Him is unlike any other.

Throughout our lives, people will disappoint us. They will let us down and hurt us, sometimes intentionally, sometimes unintentionally. But God never forsakes us, and He never changes. God doesn’t mess up or get in trouble. He is always good, always kind, and always the same. “No one who hopes in…[God] will ever be put to shame” (Psalm 25:3). • Emily Acker

• Can you think of a time you felt disappointed by someone you looked up to, such as a parent, teacher, pastor, or celebrity? We all sin, and we’re all broken, so it’s not surprising that the people we look up to will fall short. Jesus is with us in these times of disappointment, weeping with us and inviting us to rely on His faithfulness, grace, and mercy.

• While we may feel disappointed with God sometimes, He will never fail to keep His promises. He’ll never leave us, no matter what. How could this bring us comfort when we feel abandoned?

• Community is a good thing. God designed it! He wants us to listen to wise people who love Him, so don’t be afraid to draw near to others and learn from them. Yet, our ultimate hope is found in Jesus and no one else. Who has helped and encouraged you in your walk with Jesus?

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 (NIV)