One of the most reassuring promises of Jesus is his presence. Like your shadow never goes one way when you go the other way, Jesus promises, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). You never go anywhere without Jesus.
Better yet, he’s more than a good friend or loyal companion. Jesus is God. His name “Immanuel” means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23). The creator and controller of the universe is at your side. He loves you more than you can imagine.
Some people ask the next logical question. A good question. If Jesus is with me all the time, and he’s God and can do anything, then why …
… did the car accident fracture my collar bone?
… is there a war in Ukraine with innocent people displaced or dead?
… am I afraid and anxious?
… did my mom die before I could visit her one last time?
… do my coworkers or classmates make fun of my Christian values?
… are sex trafficking, drug dealing and addictions such a problem?
For reasons way beyond your comprehension, Jesus allows or acts in all of these life situations and more. He hasn’t checked out. Here’s here. He’s God. He’s better at wisely orchestrating the details for our good than we are. We just don’t know as much as he does, and need to yield to him as God because we are not.
How many times has a really tough hardship turned into a big blessing for you!?
So in the moment when life is hard, disappointing or overwhelming, press pause on your mind racing through options or jumping to assumptions. And just say, “Jesus is God. And he is here.” Repeat. Prepare for calm and courage.
Jesus himself needed to practice this the night before he died. He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane when soldiers came to arrest him for trumped up charges of treason and blasphemy. They arrived with weapons and lanterns and ropes to tie him up.
Jesus turned in trust to his Father, who hadn’t left him. Tune in tomorrow and I’ll explain how that worked, what happened, and give you a few tips for walking through difficult circumstances.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, you are God and you are here. You are God and you are here. You are God and you are here. You make all the difference, even when I don’t see or understand. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Read John 18:1-14. How many times do you notice that Jesus demonstrates he is true God? Watch for him doing things or saying things that only God can do or say.
