The topic’s meaning: The theme « God does not forsake His people » expresses the agreement and covenant that God made with His people,
those who believe in His Name and He chose to be his own special possession (1Pet.2: 9b). Long ago He said to them, « But now, Jacob, so
speaks the Lord who created you and the one who trained you, Israel: » Do not be afraid, I have redeemed you. I called your name, you are
mine » Is.43:1, such »a part of his own life « . This theme points to God as the Father Provider who manifested himself in Jesus Christ His Son
who said, »I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for his sheep » John 10:11. It is a life bond which makes it hard for God
to forsake his people. He declares: “Do you question what I do for my children? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?” Is.
45:11b. This bond remains irremovable, as Jesus said, “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” Mt 19:6b. He acted the
same way to his disciples when He said to them, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” Jn 14:18. God’s love for his people is so
deep that He says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” Heb 13:5. This reminds us of the testimony of Paul who said, “Who shall
separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” Ro 8:34. « For I
am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor
depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord » Rom.8: 35,38-39. To
those who are buffeted by the fight of faith, the Lord says, « Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will rebuild you with stones of
turquoise… » Is.54:11. Turquoise is a a stone that is solidified by metal which reflects Christ as the cornerstone for the foundation of faith
(Mt.21: 42). It is true that God does not forsake His people nor let Him fight on his own, but He declares, « And surely I am with you always, to
the very end of the age » Mt.28: 20.
Monday 25: God does not forsake his people.
« I will not forget you »Is49: 15b.
Reading 1: John 14: 18-21. Reading 2: Is49: 15-18. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa.49: 15.
Introduction: God does not forsake his people because He is the God of all memories.” Indeed, “I have loved him with an everlasting love »
Jer.31: 3, so that He does not forget him. Actually, it is written, « A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who
feared the Lord and honored his name.” Mal.3:16b. God rejoices greatly in taking care of his people, much more than the psalmist who
proclaimed his love for Jerusalem, saying, « If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of
my mouth if I do not remember you » Ps.137: 5-6a.
Tuesday 26: God does not abandon his people but justifies it.
« Those he called, he also justified » Ro8: 30.
Reading 1: Zech 2: 1-5. Reading 2: Ro8: 26-30. Preaching 1: (free choice) Preaching 2: Ro 8:30.
Introduction: Since the Lord is holy and righteous, He does not like sin and does not put up with the sin committed before Him. As a result , He
justifies his people by the forgiveness He purchased with His blood, for “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” Heb 9:22. In
this respect, it is written, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Ro 5: 8. Therefore,
“whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” Ro 14:8.
Wednesday 27: God does not forsake his people because He has made a covenant with them.
« I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters » 2 Cor 6: 18.
Reading 1: John 6: 47-58. Reading 2: 2 Cor 6: 14-18. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: 2 Cor 6: 17-18.
Introduction: The covenant that God made with His people is sacred, an everlasting covenant that will last forever. It is both the union of God
with his people and the foundation of his kingdom, raising a posterity for whom Jesus Christ made redemption through the « blood of the
everlasting covenant.“ Jesus said, « Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life » Jn.6: 54a.
Thursday 28: God does not abandon his people in their moments of trial.
« For the sake of the elect those days will be shortened » Mat24: 22b.
Reading 1: Ps 46: 1-7. Reading 2: Mat24: 15-28. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mat24: 21-22.
Introduction: God does not willingly bring affliction or destroy his people (La 33:3). In truth, He makes men endure hardship to test their faith
and to set them apart. He gives the promise to his people that He will not forsake them, “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently,
I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold
on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown” Rev 3: 10-11.
Friday 29: God does not abandon his people and calls him to return to Him.
« Return to me, for I have redeemed you »Is44: 22b.
Reading 1: Luke 1: 8-17. Reading 2: Is44: 21-23. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Is42: 22.
Introduction: It is of the nature of the Father’s heart not to forsake his own children, and to long for them even if they may stray from Him,
because of the hardening of their hearts and the devil’s temptation. His love does not change, but He still says, “See, I have engraved you on
the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me” Is 49:16. Therefore, He says, “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for
my anger has turned away from them” Hos 14:4.
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