Fear not, for God is with you

God has promised in His Word that we will never be alone and I consider this blessed assurance as a foundational pillar that supports our faith in Him. I trust Him completely and shudder to imagine drifting like a ship on the open Sea without a sail, a compass, or an anchor. May we be reminded that God is always with us, He knows our situation and always wants the best for us.

When we think about why we are here on this planet and what God’s plan is for us, we realize it would be wise to study His holy instruction manual. We observe Jesus in Matthew chapter 28 and verse 10 having a private conversation with His disciples. While trying to encourage and give them final instructions He said, “Teach these new followers to obey all the commands I have given to you and be sure of this: I am always with you, even to the end of the world.” This was not just a passing gesture like, “take care and I hope we meet again” this was a literal promise confirming that He was sent to dwell within those who give their life to Him now and forever. Many other passages declare that we are never alone once we invite Jesus to be our Lord such as Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

As a volunteer chaplain for a long-term health care facility for Veterans, I officiate special services and Bible studies, along with visiting and praying with the residents. A sad part of my duties include being on call when a resident becomes very ill. This is when families and hospice are notified that the time is near and unfortunately these are often. I was called the other day and when I stepped into the room, I saw an elderly lady sitting with her back to the door next to the bed. When I moved around in front of her, I introduced myself and noticed she was holding her husband’s hand and patting his arm. He was heavily sedated and even with oxygen he was having a difficult time breathing. I pulled up a chair and said a prayer and then she began to tell me how very much in love they were and how happy they had been. They had been married many years and did not have children. He had been in the facility for the last two years and along with visiting him almost every day, she had been trying to manage their affairs. With a brief hesitation, she looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “When my husband is gone, I will be all alone and I wonder who will take care of me?”

Throughout our life we enjoy the happy times when we are surrounded by friends and family and if we are married we can always depend on our mate being there whatever may come. What a blessing to have a close relationship with our spouse and how attached and dependent we are to them. However, unless the husband and the wife pass away together there will come a time when only one will be left. I’ve watched both my mom and my mother-in-law walk through this situation and even though it’s been difficult, I’ve also witnessed a strength within these two remarkable ladies that was no doubt from the Lord. I talk to my mom all the time and she reminds me that we just need to take everything one day at a time. She has given her fears and worries over to God and this is what gives her peace. She believes this life is not the end and that she will be reunited with dad someday. It’s a great comfort to know that whatever may happen we will never be alone because God is always with us. Isaiah 41:10 promises, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.”

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