Lo I am With You

"Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  Matthew 28:20


 Last night after a full day of work, I found myself alone in the house.  Tim was still working and the kids were off to various activities.  The quiet felt good for a change.  I was completing a few projects for David's open house which included making another couple batches of cookies.  (One does not want to run out of dessert at a party.)  

As I stood in the kitchen scooping out another pan of cookie dough, I heard clearly, "Lo I am with you."  Now, I did not hear the words aloud but they were so clear that I felt as if I turned around I would find Jesus standing behind me.   The phrase bounced around my heart like words echoing in a cave, "Lo I am with you.  Lo I am with you. Lo I am with you." 

The words were so loud and clear that I felt compelled to read the whole chapter and here is what stood out to me.  

"He is going ahead of you." verse 6

"There you will see Him."  verse 6

"Do not be afraid."  verse 10

"There they will see me." verse 10

"Lo, I am with you." verse 20

 I'm not yet sure why God spoke to my heart so clearly but I do know that He did. Maybe He just wanted to remind me that He is here and He is working.  Maybe He is preparing my heart for what lies ahead.  Either way I am grateful for His promises.

 As I thought through these truths, so many of you came to mind.  I know many of you are walking tough roads.  Life's situations feel overwhelming and can make you feel like you are going under the water.  Some situations are so tough that it feels like there is no way it could end well.  Here are some of the life situations that came to mind.

 Marriages that are falling apart.
A rebellious child that seems to be going over the deep end.
A serious health issue that could end in death.
A family that is falling apart.
Loss of employment making it "impossible" to pay the bills.
Painful, broken relationships.
A loved one who refuses to trust Christ. 
One life crisis after another.

There are many more life situations that could be listed.  Life is not easy.  It is full of twists and turns that come our way and the road can be difficult.   Sometimes the situation seems hopeless.  But friend, choose to remember the truths laid out in Matthew 28!  

It is God who goes before you.  He is working.

You will see His hand doing amazing things, both big and small, if you pay close attention.

 Because He is with you, you have no reason to fear.

 As He walks with you through the hard times, others will see the goodness and faithfulness of our God.

 He is there... always.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  

So, no matter what you are facing today, cling to these truths and keep walking, step by step with the Savior.   Let the words of truth echo in your heart.  "Lo, I am with you.  Lo, I am with you.  Lo, I am with you."

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Matthew 28:20 "Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"

Romans 8:38-39 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Deuteronomy 31:8 "The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thirty Years. Not My Will But Yours.

 Thirty years. Thirty years. Thirty years. With every new stair climbed, I quietly uttered "Thirty years."  It was my mind and heart survival phrase at that moment.  It had been several exhausting days of giving and giving and giving some more. I thought I was going to have a refreshing night sleep when suddenly I was needed several times throughout the night.  Sleep was scarce and interrupted.  I was having to give more than I wanted to give at that moment.  As I headed back up to our bedroom for the umpteenth time, each step I took I reminded myself, "Thirty years."  Over the last year those two words have brought my heart back into focus on more occasions that I care to admit. As we walked life with our big circle over this last year, it resulted in one of the most demanding years we have had in a long time. Maybe ever.  Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually. Practically.  Relationally.  In every area we had been asked to give more tha...
Read more

The Perfect Garden - Take Two...or Three

I love to garden!  Whether it's planting and tending my herb garden, planting in the raised beds, or filling up our large garden, it always excites me.  For the last two years I took the time to plan out the exact garden we wanted on graph paper. I  measured out each crop into needed space leaving enough room for the rototiller to come through between sections.  I made sure companion crops would be planted near one another so we could have the best possible outcome.  All of the seeds were purchased and organic fertilizer had been ordered and was ready to use.  Summer of 2023 arrived.  We were able to plant everything according to plan.  All the raised beds were full.  Trays of herbs were growing and would soon be added to the herb garden.  The large garden had been tilled up by Tim and time was taken to measure out each section before all of the seeds went in.  Sweet corn, tomatoes, squash, different types of melons and beans all fi...
Read more

Pets, Protection, and Loving Passionately

I give you a new commandment – to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2 Shortly after I arrived home on Friday Tim pulled me aside to let me know our mama cat had been hit by a car and did not survive.  He knew it had been a hard day, that my emotions were on overload, and that it would be hard news especially since she left behind a litter of kittens.  I was so sad.  The mama was a great cat and super mom to her kittens.  Not only had we lost our pet, but now we had 4 orphaned kittens that were only two weeks old.  My sadness was quickly overcome with my mama instinct to do everything we could to save those sweet kittens. We quickly scanned online articles and sent David on a quick run to our local farm st...
Read more