You Are Never Alone: Trust in the Miracle of God's Presence and Power

Praise for You Are Never Alone

Through heartfelt storytelling and the warm comfort of a pastor, Max assures us that we are stronger than we think because we have an ever-present source of help. The message of this book encourages us to find rest in God’s powerful presence even amidst our darkest moments.

—Maria Shriver, New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist

If you ever question whether God cares deeply for you, open this book. Max reminds us that we are never without hope or help because we have a miracle-working God who walks alongside us and lifts us out of our storms.

—Bob Goff, New York Times bestselling author of Love Does and Everybody, Always; creator of Dream Big Workshops

My friend Max Lucado is one of the most trusted voices God has given this world. As usual, Max’s timing is impeccable. Loneliness and isolation seem to be the root of so much of our pain. We are more digitally connected than ever, but our society feels lonelier by the day. Isn’t it amazing to be reminded that we were created by God for relationship with him and that every inch and second of our fragile lives matter to him? Thank you, Max, for lifting our eyes up to this reality. I highly recommend this book.

—Chris Tomlin, artist, songwriter, author

Loneliness is the new pandemic infecting our world. The statistics are staggering: 40 percent of all Americans say they lack meaningful relationships in their lives. The wonderful news is that none of us are really alone. We are loved by God and by more people than we may realize. Listen to the wisdom of my friend Max Lucado, a true American treasure, as he guides you into the best relationship you could ever have.

—Pastor Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, author of Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon

"You Are Never Alone takes us beyond a cursory belief and invites readers into a life-giving belief—a belief that encourages us to place our full confidence in a living and loving Savior."

—Andy Stanley, founder and lead pastor of North Point Ministries and author of Irresistible

This is a beautiful, simple, faith-building book. Every page is so encouraging!

—John Eldredge, New York Times bestselling author of Wild at Heart

"I have just finished reading Max Lucado’s new book You Are Never Alone. I really enjoy the way he writes. Actually, he writes the way that Jesus spoke. It reaches where people live. He speaks the language of the common person and impacts our hearts in memorable ways. Thank you, Max, for just being who you are. Your thoughts touched me deeply and have encouraged me just where I needed it today. I highly recommend this book."

—Carter Conlon, General Overseer, Times Square Church Inc.

God knew we needed this book. On the heels of a pandemic that isolated us and the ever-increasing rates of loneliness, this book gives the timely reminder that we are never alone. Max helps us open our eyes to the miracles all around us and provides great assurance that God is closer to us than we can ever imagine.

—Mark Batterson, New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker and lead pastor of National Community Church

"Max Lucado is a loving pastor and gifted communicator and we are extremely grateful for his friendship and ministry. You Are Never Alone is a divine invitation to a life of abundant and unyielding faith in our Savior—every chapter will undoubtedly lead you to a deeper confidence and trust in the promise that he is with you always."

—Brian and Bobbie Houston, global senior pastors, Hillsong Church

Also by Max Lucado

INSPIRATIONAL

3:16

A Gentle Thunder

A Love Worth Giving

And the Angels Were Silent

Anxious for Nothing

Because of Bethlehem

Before Amen

Come Thirsty

Cure for the Common Life

Facing Your Giants

Fearless

Glory Days

God Came Near

Grace

Great Day Every Day

He Chose the Nails

He Still Moves Stones

How Happiness Happens

In the Eye of the Storm

In the Grip of Grace

It’s Not About Me

Jesus

Just Like Jesus

Max on Life

More to Your Story

Next Door Savior

No Wonder They Call Him the Savior

On the Anvil

Outlive Your Life

Six Hours One Friday

The Applause of Heaven

The Great House of God

Traveling Light

Unshakable Hope

When Christ Comes

When God Whispers Your Name

You’ll Get Through This

FICTION

Christmas Stories

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Café

The Christmas Candle

BIBLES (GENERAL EDITOR)

Children’s Daily Devotional Bible

Grace for the Moment Daily Bible

The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

A Max Lucado Children’s Treasury

Do You Know I Love You, God?

God Always Keeps His Promises

God Forgives Me, and I Forgive You

God Listens When I Pray

Grace for the Moment: 365 Devotions for Kids

Hermie, a Common Caterpillar

I’m Not a Scaredy Cat

Itsy Bitsy Christmas

Just in Case You Ever Wonder

Lucado Treasury of Bedtime Prayers

One Hand, Two Hands

Thank You, God, for Blessing Me

Thank You, God, for Loving Me

The Boy and the Ocean

The Crippled Lamb

The Oak Inside the Acorn

The Tallest of Smalls

You Are Mine

You Are Special

YOUNG ADULT BOOKS

3:16

It’s Not About Me

Make Every Day Count

Wild Grace

You Were Made to Make a Difference

GIFT BOOKS

Fear Not Promise Book

For the Tough Times

God Thinks You’re Wonderful

Grace for the Moment

Grace Happens Here

Happy Today

His Name Is Jesus

Let the Journey Begin

Live Loved

Mocha with Max

Safe in the Shepherd’s Arms

This Is Love

You Changed My Life

© 2020 Max Lucado

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.

Any Internet addresses, phone numbers, or company or product information printed in this book are offered as a resource and are not intended in any way to be or to imply an endorsement by Thomas Nelson, nor does Thomas Nelson vouch for the existence, content, or services of these sites, phone numbers, companies, or products beyond the life of this book.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked AMP are from the Amplified® Bible, copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org). Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked GOD’S WORD are from GOD’S WORD ®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of God’s Word Mission Society. Scripture quotations marked HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. HCSB® is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers. Scripture quotations marked THE MESSAGE are from The Message. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Scripture quotations marked NCV are from the New Century Version®. © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked PHILLIPS are from J. B. Phillips: THE NEW TESTAMENT IN MODERN ENGLISH, Revised Edition. © J. B. Phillips 1958, 1960, 1972. Used by permission of Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc. Scripture quotations marked RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked TLB are from The Living Bible. Copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4002-1734-2 (HC)

ISBN: 978-1-4002-2099-1 (IE)

ISBN: 978-1-4001-1735-9 (eBook)

ISBN: 978-1-4041-1478-4 (Custom)

Epub Edition July 2020 9781400217359

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020938685

Printed in the United States of America

20 21 22 23 24 LSC 6 5 4 3 2 1

Ebook Instructions

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Much appreciation to the following ministers,

whose faith and courage inspire our church:

Travis and Alisha Eades, Brian and Janet Carruth,

Miguel and Haydee Feria, Mario and Christina Gallegos,

Sam and Ann Gonzalez, Jimmy and Annette Pruitt,

Rich and Linda Ronald

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Acknowledgments

   1.  We Can’t, but God Can

   2.  He Will Replenish What Life Has Taken

   3.  The Long Walk Between Offered and Answered Prayer

   4.  Stand Up, Take Up, and Walk

   5.  We Can Solve This

   6.  I AM in the Storm with You

   7.  He Gives Sight to the Blind

   8.  The Voice That Empties Graves

   9.  Paid in Full

  10.  He Saw and Believed

  11.  Breakfast with Jesus

  12.  Believe, Just Believe

Questions for Reflection

Notes

Acknowledgments

Here is what I think happened. Long ago God decided that Lucado needed all the help heaven could muster. He knew that I would get off track, procrastinate, come down with the grumps, and waddle in the dumps and that I would require a top-notch, A1 support team that the angels themselves would envy. How else does any one person end up surrounded by such amazing folks? I don’t deserve them. But I certainly love them.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to (drumroll please) the best support team any author has ever had.

Liz Heaney and Karen Hill—No better editors exist. For the millionth time thank you.

Carol Bartley—You are to copyediting what Julia Child was to the kitchen: the greatest.

Steve and Cheryl Green—Heaven loaned you to earth, and we ain’t giving you back.

The HCCP team of superheroes—Mark Schoenwald, Don Jacobson, Tim Paulson, Mark Glesne, Erica Smith, Janene MacIvor, and Laura Minchew.

Brian Hampton—a special tribute to this precious man who passed from this life to the next as this book was being completed.

David Moberg—a part of Christian publishing since 1975 and an essential part of my world since 1989. Thank you for, well, for being David Moberg.

Jana Muntsinger and Pamela McClure—Though your title is publicist, friend is the