I am with you…

From the very beginning and before time began, God desired a relationship with us. He created us to enjoy His presence and to have fellowship with Him.

That fellowship was broken because of sin. But, don’t fret. God had a plan. Nothing surprises our God. He knew before creating us that there would be a need for reconciliation. God knew the price it would take to restore the relationship He intended. And he made the decision to create us, the world and all there is anyway. God had a plan. God gave His word and He always keeps His promises.

Feeling Alone

We all feel alone from time to time. We all feel the pressure of this world, of responsibilities, and of the need for companionship. If you know God and Christ as your Savior, then no matter the circumstance or how you feel, you are never alone.

I believe that God placed within us all a God-shaped void that only He can fill. He placed within us the desire to have a relationship with Him.

Yet from time to time we attempt to fill that void with things, people, distractions. These things just don’t fit. And sometimes when we attempt to fill our hearts, minds, lives and even our bellies with things that really don’t satisfy that need…we might feel alone.

I believe this feeling is punctuated when we don’t pursue ourselves our relationship with God. When things are going well, we easily go through our days perhaps not even thinking about the presence of God or the need to cultivate that relationship.

When difficult times or difficult people come we may wonder where’s God in our situation. He’s been there the whole time – we ourselves simply have wandered or attempted to live life giving Him little acknowledgement.

Have you ever tried to do the right thing and was met with resistance and opposition. You may feel defeated and alone. This happened to Isaac. He listened to God’s direction and prospered which caused conflict with his wife’s family. He was told to move to another place. In this place, the people monitored what he did. As soon as he re-dug a well for his flock they would claim it as theirs. This happened over and over and I’m sure he became frustrated and defeated. Then in Chapter 26 verse 24 God said to Isaac, ‘“I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.”

In difficult moments, God reminded His people – I am with you…

God reminded Jacob that He was with him as well. At the urging of his mother, Jacob had just deceived his father and had taken his brother’s birthright. Jacob knew his father truly loved his brother This tension caused division in the family. Despite Jacob taking the situation into his own hands and causing conflict, God shared with him that He had great purpose for Jacob. Because Jacob honored God, He blessed him and promised him, God will complete His will even when we don’t follow it or Him.

“I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.  Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” Genesis 28:13-15

No matter what we’ve done, God keeps his word – He will never leave us and He will complete whatever He’s promised. We can’t interfere with God’s will or short it by our actions.

Fear Not

When we feel alone, there may be a sense of fear. There’s the fear of consequence, of loneliness and of being unsure of the future. We need not fear because God is always near.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

We belong to Him. Just as a father loves his child no matter what, God loves us even more. He’s gone to great lengths to make us His own through Jesus Christ, and because of this He will never leave us.

When Others Oppose You

You may feel alone when others cause conflict in your life and oppose you. You may be feeling the pressure of expectations and displeasure. But, remember God’s word, ‘fear not…I am with you’. You may be going through circumstances that seem endless and hopeless, but you’re never alone and these times don’t last forever. Through it all, no matter what – God is with you.

“Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. “ Jeremiah 1:8

They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.” Jeremiah 1:19

God reminded His people over and over during their toughest times – I am with you. God keeps His promises. Even though difficult times may be allowed, there’s always a purpose and God always has a plan. Through it all He promised go give of Himself – we’re never, never alone.

Jeremiah 30:11, Jeremiah 42:11, Jeremiah 46:28, Haggai 1:13, Haggai 2:4

Jesus Promised Himself

Then Jesus came and gave everything. He gave of Himself. When He did and when He conquered Death – He promised that He would always be with us and He promised the Holy Spirit as a Comforter!

“teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:20

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26

We Have the Comfort of the Fellowship of Believers

God gave us the gift of Himself. He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit indwelling within us and He gave us the gift of believers.

As believers we are to love each other as God loves us. We are to comfort one another, pray for one another and encourage one another.

We are never alone.

Have you noticed that over and over I have referenced being alone as a feeling. That’s basically what it is. It is a feeling and this feeling doesn’t override reality. We are never alone. When we feel alone, then we should seek out the comfort of God. Talk with Him in prayer. Cry out to Him. He’s there. Seek Him in His word. Comfort yourself in hymns and Psalms.

“speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” Ephesians 5:19

Don’t try to go it alone. Seek the company and comfort of your fellow Christians. Ask them to pray with you, to listen to you. When you do your fellow Christian should point you to God’s word and they should encourage you.

One day you may need to be the encourager. I’ve read that the best way to be encouraged is to encourage someone else. It helps to get out of our mind.

Remember, no matter what the circumstance around you – you are NEVER alone. Don’t dwell there in your mind – go to God and to your brothers and sisters in Christ when you have need. Then rejoice in the love and fellowship you will find. And rejoice always knowing – you are never alone.