Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Matthew 28:20
His Word
Why do people so often believe that Jesus or God has abandoned them? It’s because they depend on feelings too much. Just like I have at times, they place too much importance on what they feel over what God’s Word says, and Jesus promises that He will surely be with us…always, even unto the end. That’s enough for me. I believe Him and take Him at His Word over what I feel.
His Presence
The author of Hebrews gives us one of the greatest reassurances in the Bible where he writes, as God speaking, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5b). This is not a new promise. God has been saying this to His people for thousands of years (Deut 31:6-8; Joshua 1:5; 1st Sam 10:7). Shouldn’t the abundance of these promises stop and make us think; “We can trust God and take Him at His Word.”
His Strength
When the Apostle Paul was feeling weak, he knew that he was strong. To the world, this makes no sense at all, but to the children of God, it makes perfect sense, as God has said in His Word, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). God spoke to Paul and told him “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2nd Cor 12:9).
His Indwelling
Did you know that if you’re a child of God, Christ lives within you? That’s right. The Apostle Paul writes in the hopes that the church will know “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love” (Eph 3:17), and desires that they “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:19).
Conclusion
Jesus Christ’s promise that He would be with His disciples until the end of the age means He wants us to not trust our feelings but His Word; He wants us to know that He will never leave us or forsake us; He will strengthen us; and that He is not only with us, but dwells in us. If we know these things, this should give us comfort, courage, and strength.
