Beloved, let us reflect on the profound and enduring promise that God is always with us. From the beginning to the end of Scripture, this assurance of His presence is a source of great comfort and strength.
As the prophet Isaiah declared, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”—which means, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23, AMP). This fulfillment in the birth of Jesus Christ marks the tangible presence of God among us. Jesus, in His ministry, assured His disciples of His continual presence, saying, “I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, AMP).
Our Lord Jesus Christ, in His earthly walk, demonstrated the reality of God’s abiding presence. He proclaimed, “And He who sent Me is [always] with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him” (John 8:29, AMP). Even in His final hours, He reminded His disciples, “But take notice, the hour is coming, and has arrived, when you will all be scattered, each to his own home, leaving Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me” (John 16:32, AMP).
In the Acts of the Apostles, we witness the continued fulfillment of this promise. The Lord reassured Paul, “For I am with you, and no one will attack you in order to hurt you, because I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:10, AMP). This divine presence provided Paul with courage and strength to continue his ministry amidst adversity.
The Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote to the Corinthians, “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said: ‘I will dwell among them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people’” (2 Corinthians 6:16, AMP). This declaration echoes the assurance that God dwells within us, His people, and walks among us.
To the Philippians, Paul further expounds this truth, “The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you” (Philippians 4:9, AMP). Similarly, he blesses the Thessalonians with the peace of God’s presence, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him], regardless of circumstances. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16, AMP).
Our Lord Jesus Christ stands by us, as Paul testifies, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened and empowered me, so that through me the gospel message might be fully proclaimed and that all the Gentiles might hear it; and I was rescued from the mouth of the lion” (2 Timothy 4:17, AMP). The writer of Hebrews reminds us of God’s unwavering promise, “For He has said, ‘I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless, nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!’” (Hebrews 13:5, AMP).
As we dwell in God’s love, we find assurance in the words of John, “Whoever confesses and acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God” (1 John 4:15, AMP). This abiding presence is our eternal comfort and hope.
In the Revelation to John, the vision of God’s ultimate dwelling with His people is revealed, “For this reason they are standing before the throne of God, and they serve Him and worship Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them and shelter and protect them [with His presence]” (Revelation 7:15, AMP). And in the final promise, “And then I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘See! The tabernacle of God is among men, and He will live among them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them [as their God]’” (Revelation 21:3, AMP).
Beloved, let us embrace this profound truth: God is with us. His presence is our strength, our peace, and our eternal hope.