Introduction: Never Walk Alone

For nearly half a century, actor and comedian Jerry Lewis hosted an annual telethon to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The program typically ended with an emotional rendition of the song, “You'll Never Walk Alone.”

The song seemed fitting in two ways. First of all, it communicated to donors the message that those suffering from the crippling disease would never walk without the help of millions of people giving to fund treatment and research. But secondly, and perhaps more fitting, the song encouraged the suffering themselves with the hopeful lyrics:

"When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark … Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart, and you'll never walk alone."

The message to the suffering was clear: even if you don't walk again, if you live with hope, you don't live alone.

In a similar way, the writer of Hebrews intended to leave his readers with a clear message of hope for difficult times. But, unlike Jerry Lewis’ telethon, this message of hope was not anchored not in a heart-warming sentiment, but rather, it was established on the sure promises of God.

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5b-6)

Setting the Context

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were suffering because of their faith in Jesus Christ. They had been subjected to public ridicule and insults. They had their homes and personal property seized. Some had been imprisoned and were facing the real possibility of torture and death.

It was neither easy nor popular to be a Christian in the first century. There was no support nor encouragement from the culture: no Christian radio, Christian films, or Christian bookstores. There were no T-Shirts with encouraging messages, no fish emblems on the back on cars, and no WWJD wrist-bands. Nobody in the first century got a boost in their social status because of their faith in Jesus. It cost something to be a believer then. Our brothers and sisters in the first century heard quite literally the words of Jesus “Take up your cross and follow me”.

And so these early Christians, facing a continuous onslaught of pressure and persecution, were very tempted to revert to the safety and security of their Jewish roots. At that time, Judaism was a legal and tolerated religion, while Christianity was not.

Understanding the pressure they were facing and hoping to encourage and inspire their faith, the writer of Hebrews sat down and wrote this letter. He skillfully built a case to demonstrate that Jesus is better than every form of the old faith—better than the angels (1:4–2:18), better than their founding leaders (3:1–4:13), and better than their priests (4:14–7:28). Faith in Jesus offers a better covenant (8:1–13), a better sanctuary, (9:1–10), and a better sacrifice for sins (9:11–10:18).

The writer then walks the readers through the Hall of Faith, past the portraits of heroes who endured great suffering just for the hope of what was now realized through the Gospel. Bolstered by the example of these faithful believers throughout history, the writer encourages his suffering audience:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Five Attributes of the People of God

As the book draws to a close, the writer offers some practical applications of the message he’s been proclaiming. This is the “so what?” section of the letter. In other words, “In light of everything that’s been said, this is how you should live…”

The writer describes the attributes of a people who are running the race with endurance. This is what it looks like when believers hear and embrace the message of faith.

The first of these attributes is love.

Let brotherly love continue (Hebrews 13:1).

Love is the nature of God, and it is the organizing principle of the people of God. The Great Commandment is to Love God and Love Others (Matthew 22:35-40). Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you have love one to another” (John 13:35).

So as you are running this race, which is not easy, let love flow among the people of God. Not just a sentiment, but in real practical ways, care for one another; comfort one another; encourage one another; support one another; give to one another; endure one another. Let brotherly love continue!

The second attributes of the people of God is hospitality.

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels (Hebrews 13:2).

Motel 6 wasn’t around to leave the light on for anyone back in the first century. Travelers typically sought refuge in people’s homes. For Christians, this was a way to extend God’s welcome to others, and to demonstrate His giving nature. When you are poor and persecuted, this kind of hospitality is costly and dangerous; so, the suffering believers reading this epistle may have thought twice about opening their homes to strangers.

But the writer encourages them. Let love characterize your life and your community, and don’t forget to open your homes and your hearts to others. Remember, when Abraham did this, he wound up receiving angels. Who knows, that stranger in need at your door could be a messenger from God. Didn’t Jesus say that what you’ve done for the least of these, you’ve done for me?

So, the people of God love one another, they open the door to strangers, and (thirdly) they have compassion for those suffering.

Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also (Hebrews 13:3).

Strange as it may seem to those of us living in a free, pluralistic society, one of the earliest features of Christianity is that it just might land you in prison! Jesus died a criminal’s death. The apostles "did time" on a number of occasions. The believers who originally read this epistle most likely knew someone who was in prison because of their faith.

Here the writer encourages those who remained free to think of, pray for, and work on behalf of those imprisoned, as if they were chained right beside them—because they very well could be. They were to care compassionately and empathetically for those mistreated and suffering, knowing that they could likely be in need of that kind of care themselves.

So, Christians are distinguished by love, hospitality, compassion, and (fourthly) faithfulness.

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge (Hebrews 13:4).

Marriage should be held in honor by all Christians. Marriage is a covenant relationship, and as such it is to be highly valued, and seen as the costly and precious thing that it is. In the midst of a culture that lives selfishly, making and breaking promises flippantly, and pursuing personal pleasure as the highest good, Christians should reflect the covenant-making nature of God and live within the moral boundaries that protect the most precious of human relationships.

The Christian life and community is characterized by love, hospitality, compassion, faithfulness… and (fifthly), contentment.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Let your life be free from covetousness—from desiring what someone else has. In the place of covetousness, be content with what you have.

Covetousness, envy and greed are born of fear. We want what we do not have when we believe that there’s only so much to go around and we just might miss out. Contentment is the child of faith. When we trust that our Heavenly Father cares for us, we can learn to be content in whatever state we find ourselves.

That’s why this attribute is anchored in a promise God has made. We can be content… even in our difficulty… even in our suffering… even in our storms… “For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Contentment – resting, trusting, hearts at peace – is possible even in the midst of great difficulty when we hear and trust in what God has said. He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).

God’s Faithful Track Record

He, Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” As it turns out, God has made and kept this promise many times.

• He made the promise to Jacob at Bethel (Genesis 28:15).
• He made the promise to Joshua at border of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 31:6).
• He made the promise to Solomon at the outset of the Temple project (1 Chronicles 28:20).
• Jesus made the promise to His disciples just before His death (John 14:18).
• Jesus reiterated the promise prior to His ascension (Matthew 28:20).

He has a long track record of faithfulness! Over and over again, He has promised to be with His people and He has always kept that promise. He will not abandon His own.

The promise He made throughout history, He still stands by. The writer of Hebrews clearly appropriated the promise, telling the suffering Christians to whom He was writing, “This promise is for you!”

Just as it was for them, it is for us. It is for all of us and for each one of us. He will not abandon you! He will not walk away from you. He will not leave you. He will not turn His back on you. He will not forsake you!

He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5b-6).

Conclusion: No Never Alone

English grammar avoids the use of double negatives. For example, we say, “I didn’t go anywhere,” and not, “I didn’t go nowhere.” Or, “I don’t have anything,” and not, “I don’t have nothing.”

Other languages, however, allow for double or triple negatives. In these languages, the multiple negatives intensify the negation. That’s what happening with this promise that God has made. In the original language, there’s a double negative at the beginning of the promise, and a triple negative in the middle. A literal translation might read, “No never would I leave you, no not never would I forsake you!”

It’s a promise in the strongest of terms, made by a God who cannot lie, and supported by a spotless track record. Because He has made this promise, we can say, “I will not fear.” We can live lives characterized by love, generosity, openness, compassion, faithfulness, and contentment – anchored in the assurance that we are not alone. God is with us always, in all circumstances!

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? … Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-35).

We can run with endurance the race that is before us, having confidence that no matter where the road leads us, we will never be alone, and nothing can keep us from God’s love!