always.
Always. Always is the kind of word used to make an absolute statement. It is the word used in promises that have been given to us or in commands that we have received. It is a powerful word that can either bring us joy or heartache.
How many of us have ever encountered broken promises in our life? I am pretty sure all of us can relate.
Broken promises hurt. They leave a mark on us that causes us to feel unworthy or untrusting. They make sores in our soul and most of the time, we don’t allow time to heal them.
What if I told you there was a promise out there that would never be broken? I am not lying either. God promises to ALWAYS be with us. Let’s dive in a little deeper to this promise.
All throughout the Old and New Testament, we see that God promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us and because we aren’t in heaven yet, our journey through life will be a succession of problems and difficulties. Now, it is not a matter of IF troubles will come but rather WHEN troubles come, you will know and trust God’s promise to always be with you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV says:
6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
That verse was written to encourage the people of Israel, including Joshua, King Solomon and Hezekiah and his military officers. During their Old Testament lives, there was a plethora of insurmountable challenges- wars, storms, famine, etc.- and God wanted them to know unequivocally that they could trust Him to lead them to victory. He even repeats Himself two verses later in Deuteronomy 31:8.
When we, as humans, say “always” or “never” we are incapable of upholding it. However, when God promises ‘always” or “never” He can be fully trusted to honor His word.
About 4 months ago I had started to receive more frequent panic attacks. I could sit here and blame stress all I want but I knew my attacks were rooted in the feeling of being alone. When you combine panic or anxiety attacks with depression, it doesn’t leave much room for a good result. Well, one day I went driving to help ease the pain of my depression and during my outing, I had a panic attack. I couldn’t breathe and I could barely see. I had to immediately pull over so that I wouldn’t jeopardize other people on the road. Tears were flooding down my face. The deepest pain and longing was unbearable. It was at that moment I asked God to take my life. The dread of loneliness was so unnerving, I felt like I had no other escape. I cried and begged Him to end it. In the midst of my life as a pastor, as a leader, as a daughter and grand daughter, a friend, a mentor… I felt alone. People tell me all the time that I am not and I know that I am not alone but that is the cruel sting of depression; of the enemy. If he can make you BELIEVE that you are alone, you will forever live in it. As I pleaded one last time for God to take my life that night in the car, I blacked out. I woke up later that night not knowing exactly how long I was out but I woke up with a sense of confusion. In all honesty, I thought I had died. My memory was fuzzy as I tried to put together the pieces. I woke up with Jesus next to me. I could feel him as if He was physically sitting next to me. I knew He was right there with me in the car that night. I woke up to His peace and His fullness. The very thing I desired, He gave it to me.
Some people may ask, “why do we feel alone then if He is suppose to always be with us?” “When I was going through hell, God didn’t speak to me!” “I don’t ever feel Him close to me and I try to talk to Him all the time!”
Have you ever thought that maybe it could be you that has lost sight of Him?
You see, God is OMNIPRESENT. Which means that He is everywhere all the time.
David in Psalms 139 expresses this very thing:
7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
There isn’t any place we could go that God wouldn’t be there. To the Israelites in Exodus, He was a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He was with Job in the midst of a terrible storm. He was with Joshua during every war to get to the Promised Land. He was with Leah when her husband repeatedly chose her sister over her. He was in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. To Paul and Silas he was with them prison and caused an earthquake so they could escape. Jesus even promises us to be with us in Matthew 28:20, 20 “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus is Emmanual, God with US. From the beginning of time, God has known everything about us and has always been present. There hasn’t been a time where He wasn’t next to you- seeing, hearing, loving YOU.
But, like the Israelites, we sometimes lose sight of Him. Even miracle after miracle, the Israelites thought that God had forsaken them. Even after everything God did in order for them to be taken care of, they felt alone. It’s not a God-thing, but rather a focus-thing. We sometimes get so caught up in what is happening around us and to us, that we forget there is someone next to us holding our hand and trying to guide us. An omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent God wants to be with us, wants to guide us, wants to love us but we have to be willing to focus on Him- to trust Him at His word.
Isaiah 43: 1-2 NLT:
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.”
Romans 8:38-39 NLT:
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Isaiah 41:10 NLT:
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT:
10 “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
John 14:16 NLT:
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.
God’s promises are all throughout Scripture to constantly remind us that He has and always will be there for us. Maybe you have experienced heartache? Maybe the loss of a loved one or a child? Maybe you lost your job? Maybe you are like me, suffering with anxiety or depression? Whatever it may be, GOD IS WITH YOU! Right now in this very moment. We can’t escape Him because there isn’t any place He wouldn’t go to find us. Nothing can separate us from Him and His love!
My mom wrote me a song when I was a young child after she found out I was being sexually abused by my babysitter. The song is called, “You’re Always There”. It has helped me throughout my entire life and has served as a reminder that even when I feel alone, betrayed, hurt, abandoned, He is ALWAYS THERE. I encourage you to continue to seek His face. Trust in His promises. Trust in His Word. He has never let you down and never will. He is with you in the rough waters, in the storms, in the fire and in the light. Count on Him to pull you through!
You’re Always There - written by Victoria Rivera.
You always know just what I'm thinking, You understand the way I feel
You hold my hand and walk beside me, I find comfort in You
You give me strength when I'm weary, You give me hope when I'm hopeless
All that I am is found inside You, I have new life in You
You're my rock in times of trouble, You're gentle hands when I fall
You're my shoulder to cry on, You're always there
Abba Father, You're there
Closer than a brother, You're there
Jehovah Shammah, You're there
You're always there
Lily of the Valley, You're there
Lion of Judah, You're there
Alpha and Omega, You're there
You're always there
Mighty Warrior, You're there
Everlasting Father, You're there
God is with us, You're there
You're always there