In moments of doubt, fear, or hardship, believers often turn to the Bible for comfort and assurance. One of the most powerful promises in the Bible is God’s assurance: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” This declaration can be found in several verses throughout scripture, providing hope and reminding us that God is constantly with us, no matter our circumstances. Here, we’ll explore over 150 Bible verses that reflect this promise, offering strength and peace to anyone in need.
The Meaning of “I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You”
This powerful promise is not a casual statement but a profound assurance of God’s commitment to His people. First spoken to Israel in the Old Testament and later echoed in the New Testament, the phrase emphasizes that God’s faithfulness is unwavering, regardless of the challenges we face. It’s a reminder that we don’t walk alone; God is with us, ready to support us in times of need.
In Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV), Moses encourages the Israelites with this promise as they prepare to enter the Promised Land: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Similarly, in Hebrews 13:5, the Apostle Paul echoes these words, affirming God’s continuous presence in the lives of believers.
Bible Verses from the Old Testament Affirming God’s Presence
In the Old Testament, God’s assurance to never leave or forsake His people often comes during times of transition, fear, or challenge. Here are some key verses that offer comfort and encouragement:
- Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) – “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
- Joshua 1:5 (ESV) – “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”
- Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Each of these verses reinforces the idea that God’s presence isn’t conditional. Even when circumstances seem overwhelming, God remains steadfast, encouraging us to rely on His power and grace.
New Testament Verses that Reassure Us of God’s Faithfulness
In the New Testament, we see the fulfillment of God’s promise to remain with us through Jesus Christ. Jesus’s words, along with the writings of the apostles, emphasize that this promise continues for all believers. Here are some New Testament verses where this assurance shines:
- Matthew 28:20 (NIV) – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) – “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
- John 14:18 (NIV) – “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
These verses affirm that God’s presence isn’t only for specific times or people but is available to every believer who places their trust in Him. Jesus’s final words before ascending into heaven further remind us that His spirit remains to comfort and guide us.
150+ Bible Verses About “I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You”
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
- “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
- “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Joshua 1:5 (ESV)
- “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”
Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)
- “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
1 Chronicles 28:20 (NIV)
- “David also said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.’”
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
- “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 27:10 (NIV)
- “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”
Psalm 37:25 (KJV)
- “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
- “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 94:14 (ESV)
- “For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
- “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
- “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
- “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Isaiah 49:15 (NIV)
- “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
- “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
- “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
John 14:18 (NIV)
- “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
John 14:27 (ESV)
- “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
- “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)
- “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
- “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
- “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
- “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Psalm 118:6 (NIV)
- “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Psalm 139:7-10 (NIV)
- “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
2 Timothy 4:17 (NIV)
- “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.”
Psalm 73:23-24 (ESV)
- “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.”
Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
- “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)
- “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
- “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
- “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
- “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Psalm 91:14-15 (NIV)
- “Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)
- “But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.’”
Jeremiah 1:8 (ESV)
- “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 15:20 (NIV)
- “I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,’ declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)
- “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Genesis 28:15 (ESV)
- “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Exodus 33:14 (NIV)
- “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
John 16:33 (ESV)
- “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
1 Samuel 12:22 (NIV)
- “For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
- “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
- “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
- “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Psalm 31:24 (ESV)
- “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!”
Psalm 145:18 (NIV)
- “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
Isaiah 58:9 (NIV)
- “Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”
Conclusion
As we reflect on these 150+ verses, let us embrace the peace and courage that comes from God’s promise. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” is not just a comforting phrase but a living reality that we can hold onto, especially in times of need. May these verses strengthen your heart and remind you of God’s everlasting love and faithful presence in every season of life.
Read also: Prayer for Immediate Help from God: 30 Powerful Prayers