10162021 God With Me

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the ever-present God. Do you realize how many people God has reassured with specific statements of His presence?

Isaac – “And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake” (Genesis 26:24).

Jacob – “I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes” (Genesis 46:4).

Moses – “And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest” (Exodus 33:14).

Israel (in Moses’ day) – “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 20:1).

Joshua – “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1:5).

Gideon – “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour” (Judges 6:12).

David – “And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth” (2 Samuel 7:9).

Asa – “And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you” (2 Chronicles 15:2).

Jehoshaphat – “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17).

Asaph – “Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23).

Israel (under the prophets) – “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10). “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Isaiah 43:2).

Jeremiah – “Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 1:8).

Zerubbabel and Joshua – “Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts” (Haggai 2:4).

Mary – “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1:28).

Paul – “For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city” (Acts 18:10).

The ramifications of God’s presence were many – freedom from fear, sustaining in threatening places, success, protection against great enemies, strength for leadership, courage for challenging tasks, comfort in affliction, protection from opposition, encouragement for the work, and bestowing of blessing. What a blessing for these people of the past to be reminded so reassuringly of God’s presence! Don’t you wish we could hear God’s voice give us this same reassurance?

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20).

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16).

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

How I long to grasp the impact of this wonderful truth! I trust that it will encourage your heart as it has begun to encourage mine. “Yes,” God says to us, “I am with you, too – always.”

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA