Useful Bible Studies > Hebrews Commentary > chapter 13
God is with each one of his people (Hebrews 13:5), and that is a wonderful promise. He will certainly not leave the person who belongs to him. He will certainly not disappoint that person.
God is our guide, to lead us; and he is our guard, to defend us (Psalm 121). He looks after his people in every situation (Psalm 91). He desires to help them each day, like someone who takes care of sheep (Psalm 23).
These facts cause God’s people to be confident and joyful, even while they suffer troubles (Habakkuk 3:17-18; Acts 16:25; Philippians 1:13-18). They are not, of course, glad because of their troubles. They are glad because of their relationship with God. All their troubles seem unimportant when they think about God’s goodness to them (Philippians 3:8).
The author uses words from Psalm 118:6-7 to express our reaction to God’s promise to be with us. We boldly declare that God is with us. Because of that, we are not afraid, whatever our troubles may be. Nothing can separate us from God’s love. No enemy and no trouble can destroy the relationship that God has given us by the death of Christ (Romans 8:35-39).
The verse asks – and perhaps we ask, too – ‘what can people do to me?’ Clearly, there are many things that our enemies can do. They can take away our possessions (Hebrews 10:34). They can force us to leave our homes (Acts 8:1; Hebrews 11:38). They can kill our bodies (Hebrews 11:36-37; Hebrews 12:4). But they cannot do anything that really matters. They cannot separate us from God, who loves us. They cannot take away our home in the New Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22; Hebrews 13:14). And they cannot kill our spirits, which will always be safe with God (Hebrews 12:23).
Next part: Great Christian leaders (Hebrews 13:7)
Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 450 page course book.
© 2014, Keith Simons.