Lord,
We thank you and praise you for your character and power. Thank you for giving us the Bible — a book that is full of information, illustrations and insight into who you ARE, what the good news of your gospel IS, and what it means for us.
One of the blessings that we have as people living in 2021 is hindsight. Through the Bible we can see and understand the high-level trajectory of your plan of redemption: how it started, why it is needed, how it was foreshadowed, how it was secured, and why we have hope for what we don’t yet fully see. Having your Word, from Genesis through Revelation, is a magnificent gift to us. Thank you.
A key aspect of your gracious relationship with your people throughout time — from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages — has been and continues to be your abiding presence WITH them.
In Exodus 32 and 33: the Israelites had just been saved from slavery in Egypt after your Passover and by your mighty hand and outstretched arm. Shortly after they witnessed you defeat the Egyptian army and your presence abide on Mount Sinai with Moses, the Israelites made a gold calf to worship instead of you. We see your anger and indignation at this absurdity. You told Moses to carry on into the wilderness with the Israelites, but to do so without your presence going with them. Moses pleaded for mercy and you relented, agreeing to go WITH them.
In Joshua 1: before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the land that you promised to them and to their forefathers, you told Joshua — who had stepped into the role of leadership when Moses stayed behind, “Just as I was WITH Moses, so I will be WITH you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is WITH you wherever you go.”
In Psalm 23: when David was in a very deep, dark place, he wrote “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are WITH me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
In Isaiah 43: you told the Israelites, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be WITH you. Fear not, for I am WITH you.”
In Matthew 1: when we see Joseph being reassured about Mary’s virgin birth, and being told Jesus’ name, we read, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God WITH us).”
In Matthew 28: after Jesus lived a perfect life, died an undeserved substitutionary death and was raised from the dead, he told his disciples “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am WITH you always, to the end of the age.”
In Hebrews 13: in light of the good news and hindsight of the gospel, the author tells his audience, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”
And in Revelation 21: John was given a glimpse of what we long for and hope for today; the coming of a new heaven and a new earth, and all things being made new. And as John watched this, the first words he heard about it were, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is WITH man. He will dwell WITH them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be WITH them as their God.”
Throughout the Bible, at key milestones along your plan of redemption, and while we see your people in varied circumstances, we see in the Bible the unchanging significance of you being WITH your people. Please be WITH us here, now, as we live in hope of your unfettered abiding presence WITH us someday. Please help us when we don’t see or feel or recognize your presence. Thank you that, until then, we can pray together, saying:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever.Amen.