Promise of His Presence

There are many promises that God has given to us.  In my opinion the promise of His presence is at the top of my list.  Jesus said in Matthew 28:20 "and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."    Hebrew 13:5 "God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  The promise of the Holy Spirit was that each disciple would always have the presence of God with them all the time.  Let us not take for granted any of the promises of God especially the promise of His presence.  I believe that God is with us whether or not we feel His presence but I also believe that when Jesus talked about being our comforter that this was not just to believe that He is there but that we can experience His presence as well.  When a person is going through a difficult time the person who just sits with them bring a great amount of comfort.  To know that a person is right there means all the difference in the world.  Knowing that God is with us will encourage and strengthen our walk with Jesus.  Hebrews 13:6 states this truth right after the promise of His presence, "So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper: I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?"  Our courage ought never to arise from our own personal abilities but rather our courage ought to arise from the truth that God is an ever present help in the time of need.  That the Lord is my refuge and strong tower that I can flee to.  That the Lord is my protection and shield against the attacks of the enemy.  This kind of faith and courage comes from our confidence that God will never leave us or forsake us.  Praise the Lord that God is not a respector of person in the keeping of His promise of His presence.  As we trust and place our faith in Jesus who is the author and perfector of our faith we have the assurance that God is always working on our behalf. 
May the God of Presence be with you throughout this week.
Pastor John