I will be with you
by Jilly Lyon-Taylor
We were reminded in a recent sermon at Pierrepont of the time when God called to Moses from the burning bush and told him to go and bring the people of Israel out of Egypt. Moses’ response (which was probably like that of many of us when entrusted with a difficult task by God!) was to say, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharoah and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11). God’s answer to this was: “I will be with you.”
These words have continued to impact me. Whatever task God is calling us to, the knowledge of His presence with us should be all the assurance we need to enable us to step out in faith to fulfil our call.
But it is not only when we are doing tasks for Him that God has promised to be with us. He says that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5b). This means that He will be with us wherever we are and whatever we are doing. In Psalm 139:7, David asks the question, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” He responds to his own question by saying, “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139: 8-10). What a wonderful truth that is for each of us!
God has promised to be especially close to us when we are facing difficult times. Today’s verses from Isaiah are written about the people of Israel and the trials that they would face. God did not promise that they would be exempt from having to pass through the waters or through the fire, but He promised to be with them, so that they would not be overwhelmed. This is God’s heart for all of His children.
So whatever problems you may be facing today, or however difficult the road ahead seems, be assured that God will never leave you and that He is with you. Why not take a few moments now to be still and to be aware of His presence, leaving time and space for Him to speak His love and reassurance into your heart?
Jilly Lyon-Taylor is part of the Leadership Team at Ellel Pierrepont. She worked in publishing and then with children in Hong Kong before concentrating on being a full-time mother and serving in the local church. Her desire to see people healed led her to the Luke Nine Eleven Training Scheme(NETS) at Pierrepont, and now she teaches and ministers there.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.
