Weathering The Storms of Life

I Am With You Always

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (HCSB)

Throughout Jesus’ ministry on earth, He taught His disciples about the cost of following Him. Jesus knew there would be disappointment and heartache; pain and suffering. It is a part of Life from which the Christian is not exempt. Sometimes we bring it on ourselves with the decisions we make and sometimes it is thrust upon us for the stance we take.

Jesus, in commissioning His disciples, knew they would face hard times. He encouraged them in some of His last words to them with “I am with you always.” Let’s take time to think about this. If life is filled with adventure of which pain and suffering are real possibilities, then what could be better than to have with you the one who has the ultimate wisdom and the power to act.

You may be thinking His power is all you need. I can just call on Him and He will mystically blast all of my problems into oblivion. Not so fast! He also has the ultimate wisdom. Power without wisdom leads to tyranny and in our scenario, it leads to spoiled children.

Fred Parsons relates a story that was recorded in These Times, March 1969 that illustrates God’s love and care for us:

“A grandfather found his grandson, jumping up and down in his playpen, crying at the top of his voice. When Johnnie saw his grandfather, he reached up his little chubby hands and said, “Out, Gramp, out.”

It was only natural for Grandfather to reach down to lift the little fellow out of his predicament; but as he did, the mother of the child stepped up and said, “No, Johnnie, you are being punished, so you must stay in.”

The grandfather was at a loss to know what to do. The child’s tears and chubby hands reached deep into his heart, but the mother’s firmness in correcting her son for misbehavior must not be lightly taken. Here was a problem of love versus law, but love found a way. The grandfather could not take the youngster out of the playpen, so he crawled in with him.

God did not spare Paul and Silas the suffering and imprisonment, but He did come down into the prison with them. God did not keep the three Hebrew children out of the fiery furnace, but He went into the furnace with them. God will not always deliver us from trouble and heartache, but He has promised grace for every situation of life.”

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thanks You for the assurance that comes from Jesus, especially in times of trouble. Help me to depend on you even more in these uncertain days. In Jesus Name, Amen.