This is why Hebrews 13:5 is so powerful. God didn’t say, “I will never leave you nor forsake you… as long as you behave.” He didn’t attach conditions. He didn’t add disclaimers. He didn’t say, “I’ll stay with you until you mess up.” No — He made an eternal pledge. And God never breaks His Word. He never alters what He has spoken. He magnifies His Word above His name (Psalm 138:2). That means His promise to stay with you is more stable than the universe itself.

But many believers still struggle with this. They think God’s presence is fragile — like He’s constantly on the verge of leaving them. They think one mistake will make Him withdraw. They think one failure will make Him change His mind. They think one sin will make Him abandon them. But that’s not who God is. That’s not how covenant works. And that’s not the God revealed in Scripture.

God is not faithful because you are good. God is faithful because He is good. God doesn’t stay with you because you always please Him. God stays with you because He promised He would. His faithfulness is not a reaction to your behavior — it is an expression of His nature.

This is why Jesus could say, “The Father has not left Me alone.” He wasn’t saying that because He never sinned — though He didn’t. He was saying it because He understood the Father’s character. He knew the Father’s commitment. He knew the Father’s faithfulness. And that same faithful God is your Father today.

But here’s the part many believers miss: when you fall into sin, it’s not God who moves — it’s you. God doesn’t leave. God doesn’t withdraw. God doesn’t distance Himself. But sin dulls your perception. Sin clouds your awareness. Sin weakens your confidence. Sin makes you feel unworthy, and that feeling becomes a barrier. Not because God changed, but because you did.

Sin creates guilt. Guilt creates doubt. Doubt destroys confidence. And without confidence, you cannot approach God boldly. Not because He won’t receive you — but because you won’t come. You hide. You withdraw. You avoid Him. You assume He’s angry. You assume He’s disappointed. You assume He’s far. But none of that is true. God didn’t move. God didn’t change. God didn’t shift. Your perception did.

This is why you must root your faith in God’s Word, not your feelings. Feelings change. God’s Word doesn’t. Feelings fluctuate. God’s Word stands forever. Feelings lie. God’s Word is truth. And the truth is this: God is faithful to His Word, not your performance.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being faithful even when I am not. Help me trust Your Word above my feelings and anchor my confidence in Your unchanging character. Amen.

Reflection Question

Do you relate to God based on your performance — or based on His promise?