“He is always with you because His love for you commands His ever-present devotion.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 16, 2022
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
There are times in life when you may have felt tossed about by the waves of life. It’s at these times we all need to believe in more than God’s existence. We need to know He is faithfully present, truly with us and that He can deliver us.
In Matthew 14, immediately after Jesus feeds the 5,000, He insisted that the disciples get into a boat and head to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Then, He went up into the hills to pray, and the disciples went to paddle.
But then trouble started.
At about 3:00 in the morning when it was very dark, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, because a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.
That’s when Jesus showed up, walking on water toward them. This should have been a reason for joy, but they were terrified instead because they thought He was a ghost.
To embolden them, Jesus took compassion on them and said, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!”
When I read this statement from Christ, “I am here!” jumped off the page.
He is literally there. Right now. With you—and me. He is not in some far-off place looking on in compassion without “right-by-you” presence. He is not watching from a distance—and knowing this makes all the difference when the waves of life are tossing you about.
When we know He is present, when we know we are deeply loved and when we know He is all-powerful, we can take courage.
He is literally with us. He knows every word we speak, every thought we think, and every tear we cry. He is present and ready with his ministering angels to rescue us in times of trouble, give us courage, and give us hope.
Just as the Lord said to his disciples, in this moment he is saying to you, “I am here!”
He wants you to know He is with you, not because He wants to punish you or make you feel He is keeping a judgmental eye on you. He is with you because His love for you commands His ever-present devotion. He is with you because He can’t take His loving eyes off you.
Before you took your first breath, He has been with you, right by your side, holding you steady, giving you comfort, guidance, and compassion through every season, every stage, and every storm of life. You have literally never been alone.
I invite you to think about that powerful truth and repeat it out loud.
“I have never been alone.”
“I have never been alone.”
“I have never been alone.”
You have never been alone, and you will never be alone.
There is no storm that can destroy you and no waves that can take you under.
He is saying to you, “You don’t ever need to be afraid. Take courage! I am with you!”
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Prayer
Lord, thank you that you are ever-present, right with me every moment. I don’t ever need to be afraid. How I praise you for your loving presence, Jesus! Amen.
Application
As you go about your day, be mindful of the Lord’s presence. Imagine him with you at work, with you as you do your household chores and with you as you face difficult challenges. And, thank Him that He is there.
Related Reading
Zephaniah 3:17; John 14:17; Matthew 28:20
Worship Resource
Mandisa: He is With You
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