Text - Matthew 28:20
"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
In our world today, there is so much discouragement and disappointment around. So much so that it is difficult for some to believe in the reassuring words of God - that he has us covered and is there for us.
Is this just an old saying to give ourselves (false) hope or does it have truth and power within? How can we be comforted by this phrase even as we go through life's challenges? How can we keep having hope, even when the situation is not in our favour at all?
Here is how to get started:
Believe He's Got You:
Paul was in a really bad situation. He was being tried in Jerusalem, the people were against him, and even the religious leaders who once supported him were now wanting to kill him.
However, Paul had an ongoing beautiful relationship with God. He could not sacrifice that for earthly gain. Jesus appeared to him that night when he was in chains and comforted him, letting Paul know that God was with him (See Acts 23).
Paul had always trusted in God, through the thick and thin. So amazing!
Be Found In His Will:
Still on the Apostle Paul; Paul had gotten assurance from Jesus that He would be with him and that Paul would preach His name in Rome as well.
God gave Paul the route to go on in his missionary journey - and as long as Paul obeyed God's leading and stayed in His will - God was with him and saw him through. Even during a shipwreck, God kept Paul and the others unharmed, because Paul was walking in line with God's will (See Acts 23 - 28).
Hold On To His Promise:
Moses was known as the man whom God talked with as a friend. Moses had God's backing and God was leading Him. Still, Moses asked God how Israel would be different from other nations if he did not go with them (Exodus 33: 15-16). That is because God had promised their forefathers that they were the chosen of God and that He would take them to the promised land.
So Moses held on to this promise, believed it and reminded God of His promise too.
Dear friend, do you believe that God's got you or you're not sure?
Know that, if you are a child of God - that is, you've surrendered your life to him - then it is settled.
All you need to do dear friend is;
Believe in His promise of being with you and deliberately strive to be in His will.
Only then can you be guided and helped by God. Also,
Hold on to his word no matter what.
Remind Him of what he has promised in His word, the Bible and wait on Him. For you that has not come into the wonderful heritage of God's children, it’s not too late for you to come under the assurance of God's covering and personal care. Surrender your life to Jesus, leave all at His feet, and draw near to Him. And you would watch him draw near to you too (James 4:8).
Listen to the declaration of hope in Christ in this wonderful song. Shalom.