“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’ ” (Hebrews 13:5b-6).

These words begin with a promise from God. Alexander Maclaren said that the promise means something like, “I will never relax my grip…I will never drop you.” This is a truth God constantly reinforces in the Old Testament. He is not only the All-Powerful Master of the universe, but He exercises that power to protect and watch over us.

The promise of God’s care calls for a response from us. Our response is based on the promise God has just made. It is our affirming what God just said and saying, “I believe what You just told me.” When I reflect on the promise that God will never leave me or forsake me I am able to say confidently, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

“The Lord is my helper” translates a graphic word in the original language. It is a combination word from “cry” and “run.” It means that someone runs to us when we cry for help. It was used to describe a person who ran to help another who was oppressed.

Since that is true why should we fear mere mortals? We have a promise of faithfulness from God and we have faith that acknowledges Him as the One who will run to us. When God promises to hold us that leaves no place in our hearts for fear. If I feel my faith beginning to waiver I go back to the promise. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”