In Acts 18, the Apostle Paul comes to Corinth to minister. The Scriptures relate that “he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath…and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ” (Acts 18:4-5). Evidently, the resistance of the Jews was so intense they not only “opposed” him, but “blasphemed” as well, v. 6., that Paul became fearful. As a result, the Lord himself spoke to Paul in a vision by night. “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee” (Acts 18:9-10; emphasis added).
Perhaps, for the child of God, the Lord’s presence is his greatest promise. Throughout the Scriptures we read of God testifying and assuring his people that he is with them. When the Lord delivered the children of Israel from Egypt and led them through the wilderness, he “went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them in the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light” (Exodus 13:21). He is with his children to lead them and to give them light in darkness.
When the children of Israel came into the promised land, God promised Joshua “there shall not any man be able to stand before thee: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1:5). God’s presence enabled Joshua to lead his people in victory over the foes of Canaan. He gives us the same power to fight and overcome our spiritual enemies today. Paul built upon this truth when he told the Philippians “work out your own salvation; for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12).
God’s presence gives courage and power to present a faithful witness for the LORD in the midst of an antagonistic society. The prophet, Jeremiah, was bolstered in his charge to make plain Israel’s waywardness and failure to keep the covenant made with the LORD when they were delivered from Egypt. Jeremiah was told the people of the land “shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee to deliver thee” (Jeremiah 1:18-19).
When the people of Israel returned to Judah from captivity, God instructed them to rebuild the temple that Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed. The work languished from opposition and their own indifference. Yet the LORD sent his messenger, Haggai, to admonish and encourage them, saying, “I am with you, saith the LORD” (Haggai 1:13). The people responded and “they came and did the work in the house of the LORD of hosts” (Haggai 1:14).
And for 2,000 years, the promise of Jesus’ presence emboldens his children to go forward, proclaiming the gospel and making disciples. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Finally, even in death, the Lord is present with us. The 23rd Psalm, one of those well-known passages, assures us that he will be with us even then. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4).
Take comfort, child of God, “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).
From the Chaplain 