Be satisfied with what you have, for I will never leave you or forsake you.”
– Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)

To those who follow the history of college football, Coach Tom Osborne is a legend. He coached the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 1973 to 1997, compiling a record of 255-49-3. That means his teams won more than 83% of their games! When coaches have that kind of success over that length of time, I give them credit for knowing what they’re doing. Coach Osborne had a sign in the Nebraska football locker room that read as follows:

“Even though we have been good in other years, this year holds no guarantee of success. Success doesn’t come automatically. Fans are fans. Some will stick with you, some won’t. The only people who really understand, the ones you can count on beyond a doubt, who will be with you whether you are 8-and-3 or 3-and 8, are the people in THIS room!”

Coach Osborne wanted his players to know that their success would not be determined by the accomplishments of previous Nebraska teams. He wanted them to understand the fickle loyalty of fans yet remember the importance of staying united as teammates. In sports and life, we are often confronted with the question, “Who can we depend on?” In Hebrews 13:5, we find an answer we can rely on regardless of the circumstances we might find ourselves in. Jesus promises that He will never abandon us nor will He give up on us. Never means, “at no time” and “not in any circumstance.” Has anyone ever made that kind of commitment to you? What a friend we have in Jesus, and through Him, we can have that kind of assurance in this life and the next.
 
Heavenly Father, help me today to know that I can always depend on You. Others my quit on me or disappoint me, but You never will. Amen.