READ: PROVERBS 18:24; ISAIAH 43:1-2; JOHN 15:15

Do you have a younger sibling? Do they sometimes follow you everywhere and mimic your every move? This can get pretty annoying, but did you know Jesus is kind of like that? He doesn’t annoy you or mimic you, but He is with you wherever you go.

Proverbs 18:24 says, “there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.” When Jesus came and lived among us, existing as fully God and fully human, He called us His friends. When things get tough, Jesus wants you to lean on Him. He will see you through each and every storm, trial, and struggle you face. He won’t leave you alone, because He loves you.

Joshua 1:9 says, “the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Wherever doesn’t just mean when you’re having a great day, but also when you mess up…and mess up some more…over and over again. Once you’ve put your trust in Jesus, every sin you’ve committed in the past—and will commit in the future—is forgiven because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave for you, paying the price for your sin. Even now, Jesus is interceding for you, keeping you close to Himself (Romans 8:31-39; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2). And whenever you fall down, He’ll help you get up and continue walking with Him.

No matter what you do, Jesus is always with you. He wants to be your friend. You can trust Him with your life. You can lean on Him through the good and the bad. Jesus loves you like a brother, and He will never leave you. • Josefine Engle

• Have you ever thought of Jesus being “a friend who stays closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24)? Everyone goes through hard things in life, but as Christians we can know that Jesus is right there with us, and He is not going anywhere (Psalm 139:7-10). What trials or storms have you been facing? How might Jesus be inviting you to lean on Him through these storms?

• If you want to know more about trusting Jesus and becoming His friend, check out our “Know Jesus” page.

I will never leave you or abandon you. Hebrews 13:5b (CSB)