I Am With You

"Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, 

and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you 

until I have done what I have promised you."

Genesis 28:15

Jacob had never gone beyond his home. He stayed close to his mother and was not an adventurer like his brother Esau. In God's plan Jacob was called away to a strange place. But He was not called to go alone. God promised to be with Jacob and never leave him. This is the faithful God we serve. When He calls us to go we can be assured we will not go alone. God will surround us with His presence. He will go before us and behind us. He will walk by our side. 

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,

Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;

Never a mountain, rocky and steep,

Never a river, turbid and deep.

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

  Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Source: The hymn God Hath Not Promised Skies Always Blue

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/nt/720#ixzz21yISIrVt

The Joyful Sound

"How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, 
they walk in the light of Your countenance."
Psalm 89:15

The Hebrew word rendered ‘joyful sound’ is a technical word for the trumpet blast at Jewish feasts. This blast proclaimed God's presence in the festival and expressed the gladness of the worshippers. For those who know God -- who walk in His presence -- the knowledge that He is with them brings light into the darkest day. They are familiar with the "joyful sound" proclaiming His presence. "There is nothing in all the sky so grand as clouds smitten by sunshine, and the light is never so glorious as when it is flashed back from them and dyes their piled bosoms with all celestial colours. There is no experience of God’s Presence so blessed as that of a man who, in the midst of sorrow, has yet with him the assurance of the Father’s friendship and favour and love, and so can say ‘as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.’ This sunshine shines in the foulest corners, and the most thunder-laden clouds only flash back its glories in new forms."-- Alexander Maclaren

He Is With You

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you."

Isaiah 43:2

God has not promised a life without difficulties, but He has promised to be with us through all of them. It may feel at times that we are being consumed by the trials, but those who belong to Him have nothing to fear. He will either deliver us on earth, or take us to be with Him in Heaven, but He will never leave us. Trust Him. He is with You.

Forever Guarding

"The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever."

Psalm 121:8

All of our days are lived under the watchful eye of our Lord. From our first cry outside our mother's womb, to our last breath on earth, He is guarding and keeping the ones who trust in Him. Jesus said, "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand." We don't need to fear the path that lies before us, for God is intimately familiar with each twist and turn it may take. He goes before us and behind us, and at the same time He walks with us. We are surrounded by His presence. The Lord will guide us in this life, and when it is over He will take us into the glory of the next. 

God Goes Ahead of You

"The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

Tonight I read an email from a missionary friend. She shared this verse with me and told how it had encouraged her to know that the Lord always goes before her, to prepare the way. That she need not worry about where her financial support will come from, because God always provides. If you are in a place of uncertainty, remember who goes ahead of you. Trust in the One who has it all under control. He will not fail you or forsake you. You are never alone.

Do Not Fear!

"You drew near when I called on You;

         You said, 'Do not fear!'"

Lamentations 3:57

Trouble in our lives can create feelings of abandonment.  But God does not abandon His children (Matthew 28:20). If we do not see Him, it's because we are looking the other way.   We are focused on the source of our misery instead of on the One who can help us. That's when we begin to believe that God has left us alone to fend for ourselves. If we don't change that way of thinking our situation begins to appear hopeless, and the more hopeless our situation appears the more fearful we become. The prophet in Lamentations tells us he "called on" the Lord. That word "called" literally means "cry out in a loud voice." This shows the intensity of his need. God immediately drew near and told him not to fear. As Christians, the Lord is already near  through the presence of  His Holy Spirit living within us (John 16:7). He is there to help us. Whether we cry out or whisper to Him in our distress, He answers, "Do not fear!"

Worship the God of Your Life

The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;
         And His song will be with me in the night,
         A prayer to the God of my life." 

Psalm 42:8

Day and night the Lord is with you. He is absolutely dependable. With authority He delivers His lovingkindness to you in the daytime, and in the night His presence should bring praise from your lips. He is the Living God. All glory and honor are His. Worship Him and rejoice that you are loved.

Nothing to Fear

"O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

         You understand my thought from afar. 

  You scrutinize my path and my lying down,

         And are intimately acquainted with all my ways."

Psalm 139:1-3

No one knows us like the Lord does, He knows us better than we know ourselves. We can't travel out of His sight, wherever we go He sees us. There is no better friend. He knows our strengths and loves us, He knows our weaknesses and loves us even more. We can't turn Him off or turn Him around. His love is unconditional and He will never forsake us. He is familiar with the road ahead of us, as well as the place where we will rest. His knowledge is unmatched. Knowing this, what have we to fear?

When Our Spirit is Overwhelmed

"When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path" Psalm 142:3a

There may be times in our lives when our spirits are overwhelmed. In fact, live long enough and it's almost guaranteed we will face such times. The loss of a spouse, ill health, a prodigal child, corporate downsizing. So many twists and turns on our journey. Yet, we are not alone. Our gracious Heavenly Father is with us. He knows right where we are and what lies ahead. None of it is a surprise to Him. The very thing that threatens to undo us is an opportunity  to see His mighty power in action. As He works through our difficulty we can proclaim, "Father, 'you knew my path'". To God be the glory!