Always with Us
"I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked" (I Chron. 17:8 KJV).
Read: I Chr. 17:7-14 KJV; Gen. 28:15; Ex. 33:14; Isa. 43: 1-2; Phil. 1 :6; Matt. 28:20.
What Is God Saying?
God is with us always. David was brought from the humble duties of a shepherd to the awesome responsibilities of a king. He started by "following the sheep". He rose to "lead a nati0n". He was a chosen vessel to sing the praises of God in words that will last to the end of time. His sweetest songs rose from the awareness that wherever he was, God was. He was God's choice against all odds to be elevated to the highest position in the land. He was a man after God's own heart. All the way from a cypher to a sceptre God was with him.
There were times when David must have been inclined to believe that God had forgotten him. Yet he went on, in faith, to discover that God was always with him, in all circumstances and in all places. God singled out David for a specific place and function in his kingdom, but he had other special people upon whom he laid his hands for special reasons, such as Jacob (read Genesis 28:15) and Moses (read Ex. 3.12, 33:14). The consistent fact in all of these instances, and many others, is that God was with them. He is with all His children in whatever place, in whatever circumstance (read Isa. 43: 1-2). He is with all who trust in Him,
• even when their trust has waned,
• even when at times they have proved to be themselves untrustworthy (read Isaiah 41: 10).
He is not going to give up on the work He has begun in the making of a Christian. All who do His will can count on His Presence. This is the last promise that Jesus made on earth as recorded by Matthew (28:20).
How Does This Apply To Us?
It is important for us to remember that God was at work not only in Bible times and with Bible leaders. Here and now God is working out His purpose in us. We may not be special to the world but we are special to Him and when God calls, He enables. Remember, too that when God starts a work in our lives, He will finish it. That is the point that Paul makes in Philippians 1:6—The work begun will be the work completed. Philippians 2:9 ... love will abound-not a little blossom of promise or a little drop of blessing, but abounding more and more and more. Philippians 2: 13 ... God is not only with us, He is at work in us. He is not only at work in us, He is with us. This is His promise. Have we claimed it?
Pray With Me
0 God, I am constantly thrilled by Your mercy which blends with goodness and follows me all the days of my life. Your mercy is steadfast. It doesn't vacillate in response to my behavior. It doesn't change according to the level of my faithfulness. What I deserve and what I receive are often at opposite poles. Pride and willfulness draw me away. Even there You walk with me. You shield me from that which would wound and sear my soul. Your steadfast mercy works even more when my willfulness takes over. Sometimes, through the pam of chastening grace, You hold back my steps so that I may walk in paths of freedom and light.
May each passing year find me more aware of this steadfast mercy. May I never cease to be grateful for the love that will not let me go. And when this earthen vessel has run out its earthly value, take it redeemed, refined, remade to Your heavenly mansions. There I shall say with more understanding and love than I can now, "I thank You, Lord, for being with me, whithersoever .... " In the name of Christ. Amen.
Moving On In The Life Of Prayer
God is with us whithersoever we walk. We must make sure we are going for Him whithersoever He wants. We should pray that we will be shown the place where we are to serve today and the way that we are to serve today and whom we are to serve for His sake today. This is the way to find more vitality, joy and power in prayer.
