The Night on the Temple Steps

“I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” — from Hebrews 13

One day Hudson’s own servant ran away — and took all of Hudson’s luggage with him! Suddenly Hudson had almost nothing, far from home in a strange place. Footsore and tired, he searched everywhere for somewhere to sleep, but no one would take him in.

At last he lay down on the cold stone steps in front of a locked-up temple, tucking his little bit of money under his head for a pillow. In the dark, a beggar crept close, hoping to rob him. Hudson quietly asked, “What do you want?” — and the man slipped away. Then more men gathered around his feet, pretending they only wanted to keep him company.

Hudson wasn’t fooled, and he wasn’t alone either. “I worship God,” he told them. “He is my Father, and I trust in him.” To stay awake and safe, he sang hymns, said Bible verses out loud, and prayed — until the men got so tired of it that they wandered off before morning.

All through that dark, scary night, God was watching over Hudson, just as he had promised: “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

When you feel alone, or things go wrong and you’re afraid, remember: God is right there with you, even in the dark. He has promised never to leave you.

Dear God, thank you that you never leave me, even in the dark and scary times. Help me trust that you are always near. Amen.