The God Who Is Always with Us

… “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:20b NLT

The older I get, the less sure I am of everything. I used to assume, for example, that a doctor was always right. As I aged, it was devastating to learn that they are human, just like the rest of us. Of course, most doctors are doing their best, but they can still make mistakes and misread or misinterpret. That’s actually how I lost the hearing in one ear. A doctor misdiagnosed my sudden hearing loss. No ill intent. Just a costly mistake.

Holidays aren’t sure things either. No one signs up to be sick over Christmas, but I know so many who were this year. Airplane flights are canceled. Weather strands us in strange places, and we can’t get home—or have to stay home when we had planned to travel. Family members shock us with unexpected moves that take them far away—or illnesses that take them from us.

We want predictable! Instead, we get this fallen world of ours and a kaleidoscope of met and unmet expectations with no conceivable pattern or rhythm. Sometimes it looks awfully tempting to want to be a kid again, innocently assuming things turn out exactly the way we want. (Although sadly, these days, more and more kids miss out on that kind of idyllic childhood.)

Oh, but we can count on one firm and unmovable reality. If we have asked to belong to God’s family—and He never turns anyone away who comes to Him with even the teensiest of faith believing—we get God forever. Always with us. No matter what. While every other seemingly solid thing can shift—even the earth beneath our feet—God. Does. Not.

Knowing that truth is essential to my emotional and spiritual well-being. That precious reality grounds me: I belong to the One who made the Universe and has promised I’ll always be His, always be loved by Him, and never be abandoned, even when life grows super messy and hard and awful.

Thousands of Christians around the world are experiencing terrible situations. Some are slowly starving. Some are thirsty and long for clean water. Others are in prison because of their faith. I don’t even want to think about the conditions of some. It hurts my heart. It hurts God’s heart, too, but He doesn’t keep His distance. He’s right there in the prison cell, under the bridge in the cardboard shelter, in the dry desert where there is no water. He is always with us. No exceptions.

Not only is He there, but He cares. He cries with us as He did with Mary and Martha, weeping at the loss of their brother. He comes to us when we call out, like He came to Job in the worst of suffering or to Habakkuk, who was sick to death of seeing the bad guys win. Even when we don’t feel it, when emotions are too numbed and nerves too raw to feel much of anything except screaming pain … God stays right with us.

I am amazed. For all of us, I think we reach a point with a suffering loved one when we feel we have to walk away for a bit because being with that someone who hurts is just too much. We need a break. Our God never needs a break. Our pain is never too much for Him. He lives it with us, and because He is outside of time, He knows that all suffering has a purpose and an ending when He will restore the earth and bring Heaven down and reign as King of kings one day. John describes the depth of His care for us in Revelation 21:4, “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever’” (21:4b NLT).

Today, I’m writing this for myself. I am in a season when all is well with my soul, but too many around me are suffering, and my heart hurts for them. I am well aware that we live in uncertain times and that life can change rapidly. Knowing that God will be there no matter what lies ahead for my dear ones who are hurting—or for me—gives me a solid footing, and for that, I rejoice!

Heavenly Father, how I thank You for this rock-solid promise that You will always be with us. Always. No exception clause. Thank You for Your enduring, forever tender love. Thank You for wanting to be so close to us that You enter us by Your Spirit and live within us. Thank You for preparing a place for us and a time when wars and sadness will cease. I look forward to the great wedding feast You’ve invited me to, Lord! And I’m humbled that You will wipe the very tears from our eyes. You alone are worthy of all glory and honor and praise! In Jesus’ wonderful name, I thank You. Amen.

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

 Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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