The bride had been part of our church all her life. The groom, I had taught in an English class. I went alone to the wedding. Sitting on an aisle seat where I could get a good view of both bride and groom, I took in everything. I was in the mood for a wedding.

But something besides the wedding itself ended up impacting me that afternoon.

It was a line from a song sung by the bride’s sister. I’m sure I’ll never forget the six short words. I even remember the tune. Walking through the house, driving down the road, I sang the words for days, a kind of prayer.

When I first heard them at the wedding, I stole glances around the auditorium, observing as best I could some of those who had gathered for this wedding, and I thought, yes Lord, this is the heart cry of your people-those who know you, and those who don’t.

Those who belong to you, however, already know the sweet answer to each three word plea. Thus for them the petitions are made with confidence and faith. And with great relief.

The line?
“Always love me; never leave me.“

These words express our greatest needs. And in God they are supplied. From the beginning of his word to the end, he has assured us that he loves us and that he will never leave us. In Deuteronomy Moses tells the people that “God will keep his covenant of love” with those who pay attention to and follow God’s law (7:12-13).

Later Moses, passing on the leadership of Israel to Joshua, comforts him with what God has said, a promise repeated by the New Testament writer of Hebrews: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (13:5). This has always been my favorite Bible verse, the most precious promise.

Long after Moses spoke and wrote, the Word became flesh, and Jesus showed us what truest love looks like and told us in simple words that God loves us so much he gave his Son. After he was crucified and it looked like all was lost, Jesus made it joyously clear that he will never leave us or forsake us.

On a glorious resurrection morning, he approached a weeping woman and said, “Mary.“