YOU’RE NOT ALONE!
“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. Amen.” Matthew 28:20. A last and great commission to the disciples before Jesus ascended to heaven. It ended with an assurance that HIS presence will always be with us, even unto the end of the world. That promise reverberated down through the ages, echoing through history and being felt across all generations of believers. This is HIS solemn promise and encouragement to us and that should be personalized by all Christian.
When Jesus said those words, He meant it with every ounce of fact, that He will never leave us in dire straits, grasping for the last straw to save our dear life. The Majestic Being that prophet Isaiah saw in his vision recorded in the chapter 6 of his writing, was none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. Despites, being high and mightily lifted up, yet, HE was the gentle shepherd that will lead His flock of sheep to quiet water.
In my previous blog on “HE led me in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake”, my personal thought mainly on the 23rd chapter of the book of Psalm. I have established the fact that He was our beloved Shepherd, not only us believers but the Israelites too, in their sojourn towards the Promised Land.
I can go on forever making references with the bible on this fact that HE was, HE is and forever will be with us through our ‘thick and thin”. In short, HE will goes through water and fire just to be there for us in our dire straits situations. Water and fire represent adverse opposing forces, so going through both signifies facing extreme significant challenges and adversities. This is an idiom used generally to signify willingness on the part of our companion sticking close to us to overcome our extreme intense obstacles together. That is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The verse in Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass 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.” can be paraphrased with the verse Matthew 28:20. Another interesting point to note is that the word, “when” was used three times was deliberate. Jesus wants us to comprehend and believe that He, along with the Trinity, bankrolled that promise. The number three biblically signified wholeness, completeness, perfection, and divine significance. We have the assurance of the Trinity on this promise that Jesus made to us HIS believers. Note also the choice of the word used “when” instead of “if” in this verse. God did not say if we go through water and fire; He will be there for us. Here, God is certain about doing something or that HE is sure something will happen that needed HIS attention. HE is not suggesting that if we do go the through water and fire, HE will then be with us. That is far from the truth. As HE promised that HE will be with us always, HE meant it word for word in Matthew 28:20 in the flesh.
Numerous incidents were recorded in the bible, from both old and new testaments, that show HIS faithfulness to HIS children. We can go back to the beginning, God, through Jesus, The Angel of God, led the children of Israel through the treacherous and hostile wilderness to reach the Promised Land. When Joshua needed a commander, the Commander of the host of heaven himself, captained the Israelites in their battle for Jericho. In another incident, Gideon encountered the incarnate Lord Jesus, assuring him of God’s help in Israel’s battle with the Midianites. HE is not always a seasoned, battle-hardened Commander –in-Chief of the Israelites in their quests for the Promised Land. He was also a sympathetic and caring person when HE appeared to Hagar who was on the verge of taking her own life. That is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He is indeed ours everything!
According to the New Testament in the bible, there were many recorded incidents of what Jesus did while HE was on earth. Here, Grace/Word came in the flesh and dwelled among us, as testified by Apostle John. The recorded testimonies of the four Gospels portrayed our Lord Jesus Christ as a deeply caring person. The Person was nothing short of demonstrating compassion and love, through actively reaching out to those in need. He touched and healed the marginalised lepers, He raised the dead, He healed Jairus’ daughter, a Synagogue leader, who came to Him for help. Once He was “caught” sleeping in a boat while crossing the Sea of Galilee. HIS disciples were freaking out in the middle of a storm that threatened to capsize the boat. So, in desperation, they sought Jesus’ help. With all the majestic power that is in HIM, the storm succumbed to HIS awesome authority when He rebuked the elements. In actuality, He was neither sleeping nor was HE detached from the surrounding. HE had the fullness of the presence of mind; HE knew HIS disciples’ needs and fear. He reacted calmly but assertively when approached for help by HIS distressed disciples. In another incident that occurred in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, quite similar to the former, the disciples were caught in the storm again. But this time, our Lord and Saviour was not in the boat. Just when things got hopeless, Jesus walked on water towards the distressed disciples in the boat. Our lesson learnt here are that it does not matter whether we feel that the Lord is near us or not in our moments of despair and hopelessness. Even if we do not feel HIS presence, we can still be sure that HE is making HIS way towards us in our dire straits situation. Trust in God’s presence every day of your life and rest in His comforting arms when you don’t know what to do or say. He will deliver you from the waters, rivers, and fires of life that want to take away your peace and joy.
Eleven times, the word, “I am with you” were mentioned in both old and new testaments in the bible. The last mention was the twelfth times. The Lord emphasizes on the word always for eleven times but this time it ended with an assurance of being with us till the end of age.
Twenty-four times twice for each month of the year Jesus is assuring us that He will be with us and will always be, as He returned to heaven to be seated at the right hand of God.
It is about God’s promise to be an ever-present help, a guide through every trial and tribulation. For those who believe, it is an eternal assurance that no matter the depth of the waters or the heat of the fire, we are never alone — God is with us, and in His presence, there is infinite strength to overcome. We can safely take that to the bank, as a figurative statement of guarantee.
Isaiah 43:2 should be an encouragement to every Christian today that God will be with you during your trying times and hard seasons. You may think He is not there but He always is, like He said HE would in His Word.
In conclusion, we will face many trials as human beings and these trials and tribulations will bring a lot of fear into our hearts. Sometimes we don’t know what to do, and the only place we can turn to is to our heavenly Father. In John 16:33 Jesus warned us that in this world, we will have many troubles. But fear not, in Him we will find peace. HE assured us with these comforting promise that HE has overcame the world with all its trouble and perplexities.