A little girl who was afraid of the dark was encouraged by her mother, “Don’t worry. God is there with you.” The little girl responded, “I know, but I want someone with skin on.” The truth is, even we adults feel that way sometimes, although we don’t normally verbalize it.
As God’s children, we need to
constantly focus on Scriptures that reassure us of His presence. When the
Israelites were in the wilderness, God demonstrated His uninterrupted presence
with them by the pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (see
Exodus 20:21). When Jesus’ birth was prophesied to King Ahab as a sign to the
royal family of David, God said, “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She
will give birth to a son and will call him Emmanuel (which means ‘God is with
us)’” (Isaiah 7:14). What a beautiful, reassuring name! Constantly thinking of
God by His name should remind us that we’re never alone.
The psalmist’s expression in
Psalm 23 says it all. He experienced God’s presence, just like a sheep would
with its shepherd—there’s protection, provision, direction, strength,
correction, comfort, blessings, honor, goodness, and unfailing love. Oh, to God,
that we’d live with a constant awareness that He is with us at all times: even
when we momentarily forget. To all of us, His children, He’s promised: He will
never fail or abandon us. (See Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:6, 8).
When Jesus was going back to
heaven after the resurrection, He promised to send the Holy Spirit to be with
the church (John 20:22; Acts 2:1-5). So, God’s presence with His people has
never been interrupted. Angels reassured the disciples on the day Jesus
ascended to heaven, saying, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring
into heaven? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven, but someday he
will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” (Acts 1:11).
Our world is getting
increasingly unpredictable and worrisome; a good reason to live in God’s
ongoing presence, so we can be at peace and unafraid. And if we do get
overwhelmed, let’s remember, He says to us, “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world”
(Psalm 46:10). God’s promises are not only for while we are here on earth; He
has promised to come back to take us out of this world: “When everything is
ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am”
(John 14:3). That will be the fulfillment of the angel’s message to the
discouraged disciples. And in heaven, there’ll be no more fear, pain, worry,
sin, or death. Hallelujah!
So, until we see Jesus face
to face, let’s live with the comfort and assurance that God is with us every
second, be it now or later. For now, He is only a prayer away!
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