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I Am With YouFinding Comfort in the Presence of Christ
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I AM WITH YOU
Finding Comfort in the Presence of Christ
Being alone is terrifying. I mean truly alone. We all crave the moments of silence and solitude after a harrowing day of transporting children, managing family squabbles, and dealing with difficult co-workers. No, what I am talking about is about is the deep darkness of soul, the feeling of utter loss and abandonment.
We fear being alone because of the rejection of friends and family, perhaps because of sin we have committed against them, perhaps because of sin they committed against us. Either way, relationships shatter and lines of communication become eerily quiet. There is no friendly joke or good natured ribbing. There is a rupture that prevents the normal communication of life. You feel alone.
We fear being alone under the weight of suffering. Perhaps you are a modern day Job. Your life has been pummeled by one painful situation after another until you can’t remember what day it is, how long you have felt nothing but pain, or who still cares about you. You notice people avoiding you because your pain causes them discomfort. Your sorrow is to much for them to carry and so you feel abandoned, tossed to the side of the road, and huddled in the ditch of agony.
We fear being alone when we are required to step up and serve in a capacity that is far beyond our ability. Terror claws at our throat making it difficult to speak. Butterflies thunder around our stomach and we cannot stop going to the restroom. We are terrified that we will be exposed as a fraud, as foolish, as ignorant, as inferior. The panic is almost paralyzing.
I want you to remember four little words spoken by Jesus after the resurrection, prior to His ascension to heaven. “I am with you” (Matt 28:20). In fact Jesus promises “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:20). Jesus is sending the disciples out into the world, to be his visible representatives praying and preaching in such a way that Christ is continually glorified in the rescue of sinners. These men and women were overwhelmed, terrified, on the brink of unimaginable suffering, and about to be rejected by the world. Jesus makes a simple but profound promise, “I am with you.”
Jesus is with me. Jesus is with you my friend. Psalm 23 states that the Lord is our shepherd and so we do not want, we do not lack for anything. In fact, we do not fear despite the fact that we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Do you know why? “Because you are with me.”(Ps 23:4) Jesus is the Great Shepherd who comforts our fears, who soothes our worries, who strengthens our weakness, and who substantiates our person. He is with us! You are not alone. Do not allow your feelings to continue lying to you. Remember the promise. Jesus is with you. Right now. Yes. Turn your eyes toward him in faith. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. He is with you and He will never abandon you.
Finding Comfort in the Presence of Christ
Being alone is terrifying. I mean truly alone. We all crave the moments of silence and solitude after a harrowing day of transporting children, managing family squabbles, and dealing with difficult co-workers. No, what I am talking about is about is the deep darkness of soul, the feeling of utter loss and abandonment.
We fear being alone because of the rejection of friends and family, perhaps because of sin we have committed against them, perhaps because of sin they committed against us. Either way, relationships shatter and lines of communication become eerily quiet. There is no friendly joke or good natured ribbing. There is a rupture that prevents the normal communication of life. You feel alone.
We fear being alone under the weight of suffering. Perhaps you are a modern day Job. Your life has been pummeled by one painful situation after another until you can’t remember what day it is, how long you have felt nothing but pain, or who still cares about you. You notice people avoiding you because your pain causes them discomfort. Your sorrow is to much for them to carry and so you feel abandoned, tossed to the side of the road, and huddled in the ditch of agony.
We fear being alone when we are required to step up and serve in a capacity that is far beyond our ability. Terror claws at our throat making it difficult to speak. Butterflies thunder around our stomach and we cannot stop going to the restroom. We are terrified that we will be exposed as a fraud, as foolish, as ignorant, as inferior. The panic is almost paralyzing.
I want you to remember four little words spoken by Jesus after the resurrection, prior to His ascension to heaven. “I am with you” (Matt 28:20). In fact Jesus promises “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:20). Jesus is sending the disciples out into the world, to be his visible representatives praying and preaching in such a way that Christ is continually glorified in the rescue of sinners. These men and women were overwhelmed, terrified, on the brink of unimaginable suffering, and about to be rejected by the world. Jesus makes a simple but profound promise, “I am with you.”
Jesus is with me. Jesus is with you my friend. Psalm 23 states that the Lord is our shepherd and so we do not want, we do not lack for anything. In fact, we do not fear despite the fact that we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Do you know why? “Because you are with me.”(Ps 23:4) Jesus is the Great Shepherd who comforts our fears, who soothes our worries, who strengthens our weakness, and who substantiates our person. He is with us! You are not alone. Do not allow your feelings to continue lying to you. Remember the promise. Jesus is with you. Right now. Yes. Turn your eyes toward him in faith. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. He is with you and He will never abandon you.