“God is With us!”

Short Devotion for our December Board Meeting:

I think that it is so important men that during this season of ministry we understand that God is with us. Knowing this gives us comfort when we feel weak or discouraged. It gives us hope to continue on as we serve together. It reminds us that when we are tempted to sin that God is watching and to live for Him.

Story of John Wesley (1703-1791) John Wesley is famously known as the one who started Methodism. John Wesley loved the Lord and worked hard to share the gospel with everyone he came into contact with. His story is a story of faithful endurance through nearly 90 years on earth.

Historians estimate that Wesley traveled 250,000 miles on horseback and preached more than 40,000 sermons. God used him to bring revival to two continents. As he lay on his deathbed, he gathered his family around him and summoned the strength to speak his last words. Here was a man who knew the Scriptures almost by heart and could have voiced a thousand truths in that triumphant moment.

Wesley sat up in his last 60 seconds of life and said, “Best of all, God is with us.” Then he lay back and, thrusting his hand in the air, used his final grasp to repeat those words with emphasis: “The best of all, God is with us.”

Men we all need to be reminded of these words, God is with us. Over and over again throughout Scripture we are reminded of this wonderful promise.

Exodus 33:16 ESV

16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”

As Moses led God’s people out of Egypt and up to the Promise Land we come to see that God was with His people. God led the Israelites by day as a pillar of smoke and by night as a pillar of fire. When Moses and Aaron set up the tabernacle and built the ark of the covenant God’s very presence dwelt among them. God was with His people.

When we come to the New Testament we are told even more good news.

Matthew 1:23 ESV

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

When Jesus was born of a virgin, they would call his name Immanuel because in the very flesh this God Man was with humans and lived with humans and then died for His own. During this Christmas Season when we remember the birth of Christ we should also be reminded of the gift of Christ. Christ came to be with us and gave up His life so that we as sinners may be justified before a holy and righteous God. The only way that we can be declared not guilty is because of what Christ has done for us.

So, what separates Christians and the body of Christ from all other people groups on planet earth is that as believers we trust in God and He calls us His very own children. He is our Father and we are sons and daughters of God Almighty. The moment we become children of God His manifest presence is with us.

Serving the Lord is not alway easy. People can discourage us, marriages and families fight. People struggle with sinful things. We ourselves deal with depression, anxiety, worry, and heartache. So during this season of ministry may we reflect on the goodness of God and truly remember that God is with us. He is there to help you, guide you, sustain you and remind you to lean unto Him.

Close in Prayer: