The more I read the Bible, the more I am amazed at the number of times mention is made of these words of assurance that God is always with us. Whatever the incident, God presents Himself as a Shield, a Fortress, a Buckler - ready and willing to see us through the myriad of problems we face. By sheer instinct, the Good Shepherd cannot just leave His sheep unattended. Then He would not be worthy of the name. “The Lord will make you go through hard times, but He Himself will be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for Him anymore.” (Isaiah 30:20-21)
God gives us blanket cover – not partial, but complete. He takes care of all the hazards that come our way as well. How very reassuring to hear: “When you go through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:3-4)
If God had not been with Jacob, what would have become of him? His uncle Laban maltreated him to the extent that he had to stealthily plan an escape. When his uncle finally caught up with him, Jacob said to him: “If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night He rebuked you.” (Genesis 31:42)
Jacob had literally been a victim in the hands of his crafty uncle; no end to his trickery. For this reason, God warned him to return to his homebase. “Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” (Genesis 31:3)
Daniel held the position of administrator in Babylon; Esther became queen in a foreign land so also did Joseph who became prime minister despite the odds. Only the hand of the LORD could have brought this about. He was also with them.
The typical example of God’s presence is evident with Joseph. He went through a number of trials, not because God had abandoned him, but they were meant to fortify him. Did he not come out strong on God’s behalf? Joseph never complained to God saying this was not what I was shown in my dreams. He was steadfast in his belief that God had permitted it. “The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in all that he did, … Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned”. (Genesis 39:2-3,4b)
God’s word will never fall to the ground, nor will it ever come back to Him void. Even “… while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; He showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warden.” (Genesis 20b-21)
King Saul, who was oppressed by a demon spirit required a musician to chase this demon out. They locked everywhere but could find nobody. “One of the servants answered, ‘I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.” (1 Samuel 16:18) That was David!
The Children of Israel had just left Egypt on their way to the Promised Land when the elite Egyptian army gave chase. Moses was in a quandary as to what to do. He implored God for a solution. “Moses answered the people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14) It became God’s personal battle and He triumphed over adversity when the whole army drowned in the Red Sea chasing the Egyptians.
Whilst in captivity, the three Hebrew boys: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were under duress to bow down to the golden statute that King Nebuchadnezzar had erected. He obliged everyone to bow before it. (Daniel 3:14-19) These lads refused to worship an idol. For this reason Nebuchadnezzar ordered that they be put in a flaming furnace. Then the unexpected happened. Those who thrust them in the furnace were consumed by the fire and died. Strangely, the king observed that the three lads were accompanied by a fourth person. “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:25)
Finally, Jesus bidding His disciples farewell encouraged them thus: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Do not go looking for Jesus around you; He is with you in the person of the Holy Spirit who lives within you. It will take a confession on your part though for this to happen. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
Invite Jesus into your life and be assured of His continued presence around you! He affirmed to young Joshua; “I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you!” (Joshua 1:8).