Never Alone
Tony Cooke
In 1897, a lady named Ludie Pickett wrote a song entitled “Never Alone.” The lyrics include:
I’ve seen the lightening flashing
And heard the thunder roll,
I’ve felt sins breakers dashing
Which tried to conquer my soul;
I’ve heard the voice of m savior
He bid me to still fight on,
He promised to never leave me,
Never to leave me alone;
No, never alone, no never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
He’ll claim me for His own;
No, never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
When I first read this I thought the lyrics were overly-repetitive. Then I realized, “We need to hear this repeatedly!” We will never be left alone!
The Christmas season is a time to remember God’s presence. When Matthew quoted Isaiah’s powerful prophecy about the miraculous conception of Christ, he wrote, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23).
Never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
“God with us” is one of the most remarkable thoughts we can ever consider. Having entered into our world, and having united himself to us through the person and work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The author of Hebrews echoes this when he writes, “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).
Never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
Jesus departed physically in the ascension, yet he remains with us. Speaking of the Helper who would come, Jesus said, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). As the earliest disciples obeyed Jesus and began ministering in a hostile world, they were not alone because the Lord was working with them, confirming his word with signs following (see Mark 16:20).
Never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
In one of his most challenging moments, Paul was not supported by his friends. He wrote, “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me… but the Lord stood with me and strengthened me (2 Timothy 4:16-17).
Never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
When the aged John was banished to the Island of Patmos, presumably to be isolated from all those who would have cared for and encouraged him, he gloriously encountered the resurrected Lord when he was “in the Spirit” on the Lord’s day.
Never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
The fabulous assurance of God’s abiding presence that we enjoy is because of the covenant relationship he has established with us through Jesus. This is ours because of the glorious gospel. As we enjoy this, remember that there was a time, as the old song says, “Long lay the world in sin and darkness pining ‘til he appeared and the soul felt its worth.” Before Christ, they anticipated. Today, we experience. Peter described it this way:
1 Peter 1:10-12 (NLT)
10 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you.
11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.
12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.
They looked forward. We look back. To us, the manger, the cross, and the resurrection are historic facts and established realities. We walk in their light and benefits yet today. Immanuel, God with us, is as real to us — though in a different way — as when Mary held him and the shepherds knelt before him in the manger. He is with us, and today we say:
Never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
