June 16, 2026 – Daily Devotional
Remember how He told you, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
There are many scriptures that I claim as “my favorite.” Recently, Hebrews 13.5 made my top ten list of favorites. There’s a reason why. Maybe you, like me, have found yourself in a similar situation. Several years ago, I experienced what is called “A Dark Night of the Soul.” In modern times, the phrase “dark night of the soul” has become a popular phrase to describe a crisis of faith or a difficult, painful period in one’s life.
I’m not sure I would define my experience as a full-blown “crisis of faith,” but it was a very difficult, painful period in my life, with a crisis of faith sprinkled throughout. For many years, I have lived with a condition that affects many people: neuropathy. I had just retired and was looking forward to doing all the things that previously, I had not had time to do. However, I experienced what is called a “breakthrough” period with my neuropathy that caused such pain and discomfort that I wasn’t up to doing much of anything. This breakthrough period lasted, not for days, but for over a year. Sleep evaded me, which contributed to many other unhealthy symptoms. Outwardly, I tried to keep going and act like I was fine. But inwardly, I felt exhausted and alone.
I slipped into feeling sorry for myself and asking God the unanswerable questions: “Why?” “Why Now?” I became angry and said some things I’ve regretted. I felt alone and abandoned. It was into that darkness, when I was at my lowest, that I cried out to God, “Where are You?” I remember wondering why my faith felt so weak, why my prayer life was lacking, and why I felt so disconnected from God. This was not the way it was supposed to work.
One evening, as I sat on my patio, dreading the thought of going to bed and trying to sleep, I didn’t have any words. I just sat there, numb, wondering what lay ahead for me. In that stillness, I felt or heard a still small voice…from Hebrews 13:5: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” In that moment, those ancient words, spoken so long ago, spoke directly to my soul, reassuring me that no matter what I was dealing with, I was not alone, and my health problems were not a sign that God had forsaken me. I know that, because my theology teaches me that God does not “give us” health problems; life does!
Those words did not change my circumstances. However, remembering what God told me was enough to change my heart. I was reminded that I was not carrying everything on my own. God was near, present, and faithful. That promise became an anchor that sustained me in the days ahead, reminding me that God’s presence is not based on how we feel, nor does God’s presence always mean the absence of trouble, but it does mean we never face trouble alone. And that was enough! Enough to hold on to until the season ended. Thanks be to God.
-Rev. Linda Harker, Pastor of Connections
