I am with you always…

 

Jesus said this to his disciples in Matthew 28 as he was sending them out to do life after his death and resurrection. He was giving them his final pep talk, so to speak, before he ascended into heaven, and he was getting them ready to do his work.

 

I am with you always.

 

You know what he didn’t say to his disciples?

 

It will always go well.

It will be easy.

It will be fun.

It will be everything you ever dreamed.

 

Nope. Not what he promised.

Instead, he said he would be with them, because that’s the promise on which he wanted them to stand.

 

I am realizing that, for a long time, I stood on the wrong idea.

Somewhere along the line, I bought into the idea that if I was a christian, things would go well for me always.

I thought that if I was obedient, things would be easy.

I thought that if I did God’s will, I would be the best.

I thought that if I loved God, I would prosper.

 

Nope, not what he promised.

Don’t get me wrong, following God’s plan can lead to joyous, mountaintop experiences.

But sometimes it doesn’t.

Sometimes, following God’s will involves serving, sacrificing and suffering for his sake.

And with it, clinging to the promise that in every instance, he is with us.

 

There are examples of this promise all over the Bible.  In 2 Timothy 1, Paul is writing a letter from prison, in chains, because he has been boldly proclaiming the gospel. He is doing the exact work God wants him to do, and as a result, he is in prison.

His obedience leads to his suffering.

His zeal for God requires tremendous sacrifice.

But God is with him always.

 

Paul reassures in 2 Timothy 4:17-18, “But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the good news in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.”

 

Paul stood on the promise of God’s presence in the midst of adversity, not in the absence of it.

 

I am with you always…

 

Perhaps no other time have I understood this incredible promise more than I have in the last 4 months. Our family is certain that God led us to Blaine and that he asked us to be bold in our faith while we were there. As a result of walking out his plan, we have faced an intense period of suffering.

It hasn’t been easy and there is so much we don’t understand.

However, this we know: God is with us.

We have never been alone.

We have felt him standing beside us every step of the way, moving us toward:

        Peace when we get anxious

        Strength when we feel weary

        Hope when we feel discouraged

        Love when we feel hurt

        Joy when we feel sad

        Forgiveness when we feel anger

He has supplied all our needs according to his glorious riches. (Philippians 4:19)

When his presence is all we have had, his presence has proven to be more than enough.

 

I am with you always…

No wonder that’s what Jesus promised his disciples before he left. He knew there was nothing better than being in the presence of God.

 

The more I study the Word, the more evidence I find that following God is costly. If I truly run the race that is set before me, it is certain that I will face times that will stretch me beyond what I can endure on my own.

 

And the only way to make it through is to cling to the promise that he is with me, always.

The God of the Universe never leaves me or forsakes me. On this I stand.

 

My favorite Psalm is 63, because it reminds me of the matchless gift that is his presence:

 

O God, you are my God;

I earnestly search for you.

My soul thirsts for you;

My whole body longs for you

in this parched and weary land where there is no water.

I have seen you in your sanctuary

and gazed upon your power and glory.

Your unfailing love is better than life itself;

how I praise you!

I will praise you as long as I live,

lifting  up my hands to you in prayer.

You satisfy me more than the richest feast.

I will praise you with songs of joy.

I lie awake thinking of you,

meditating on you through the night.

Because you are my helper,

I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.

I cling to you;

Your strong right hand holds me securely.

 

Friends, I don’t know what you are walking through right now, but I do know this: God is with you always. He will never leave you and that is the best promise there is. I would love to get on my knees and pray for you…simply email or comment on the blog and I will take it to the Lord. Let’s do this faith journey together!

Please feel free to post, forward and share this message with someone who needs it. Let’s do this faith journey together.

Blessings!

Minta