I am ever so grateful for the presence of God. As a follower of Jesus, we are assured that we never face a battle alone. He has promised never to leave or forsake us and to always be close by us. As we noted yesterday, we even have the Holy Spirit living within us! Therefore, there is never a time when we are alone. We may feel that way, but this is where we turn to the Word of God and focus on what it says instead of how we may feel.
Part of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ to His Church in all ages of time is this amazing promise of the presence of God:
"Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen! Interesting that the word translated "lo" is
idou in Greek, and it is literally a command. We could translate
idou as behold, or see. This adds emphasis to what Jesus was saying. I look at it this way; Jesus is saying, "Hey listen up to what I am about to tell you. I am with you always."
In
Hebrews 13:5, we read more about how our great God does not abandon or leave us but is always with us:
"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" One writer commenting on this verse states, "At salvation, Christians are permanently indwelt with the Holy Spirit, who is God Himself (Acts 5:3-4). Christ affirmed that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, would be with His followers always (John 14:16). Also, Jesus told His disciples that He would be with them 'to the very end of the age'—a promise that has to include present-day believers (Matthew 28:20). The God who promised to never leave Joshua is the same Lord who says He will never leave believers today." (
Source.)
You may be asking, "Okay, I get it; God is with me; but how does that impact me or somehow give me strength?" In our weak moments, when we are in battles of mind and body, we tend to forget what God has promised. The fact that Jesus never leaves us should give us the confidence and boldness to step up and do everything and anything He tells us to do. We are not alone! If we were alone, then yes, we should be fearful. But God has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity (
2 Timothy 1:7); rather, He has given us Himself! What more could we ask for? What else could we need than the presence of God?
If you are like me and have some major decisions to make or are faced with massive challenges and opportunities, what will you do? Will you cower in fear and settle? Will you tell God to go ask somebody else to do it? Recently, my wife Ashley and I watched all three movies in the Lord of the Rings series. Wow, I can see why the last movie in the trilogy won 11 Academy Awards. The fate of the world of men lies in the hands of a little hobbit named Frodo. He and his best friend Sam must get the precious (the ring) into the blazing inferno of Mount Doom in Mordor if mankind is to survive. Frodo has little strength left and feels like giving up when he is told in a vision that he has been given this assignment, and he must do it. You and I have assignments, some larger and more important than others. But whatever God is asking you to do, you can do it! The Lord is with you, now go!
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