“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:18–20
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Paul expressed a desire to be “with Christ” (Phil. 1:23), though no doubt he knew and believed Jesus’s promise to be with us always. Paul is eager for the time when his experience of the presence of Christ will be unclouded by the limits of his time-bound existence. And this is the challenge for the believer this side of eternity: we cannot trust our perception of God’s closeness to be accurate. God is near whether we feel him to be or not. How mindful we are of this truth will directly affect the way we live.
When our hearts deceive us with the lie that God is distant, when we begin to wonder if our sorrows are unseen or our sins are disqualifying, we can cling to the assurance of Psalm 23: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (ESV). The “with me” of God does not depend on our worthiness but his will. He wills that his chosen children will never be left alone.
His certain presence is not merely a comfort in sorrow or distress, it is a comfort in the mundane and the joyful as well. He does not need to greet you in the morning with, “How did you sleep?” or in the evening with, “How was your day?” He has been with you for all of it.
Reflect:
Read Matthew 1:23 and 28:20. In what ways does your mindfulness of Christ’s presence directly impact your choices, attitudes, and behaviors?
Pray:
Praise God for being present in each moment of your past, present, and future.
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