Thursday, November 12, 2026

             In John 16, Jesus was spending some final moments with His disciples just a short time before His betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion.  He has already made it clear to the Twelve that He is departing.  He was going to the cross, the grave and resurrection on the way to His ultimate destination which was returning to the Father to sit at His right hand.  We cannot even imagine the weight on Jesus’ shoulders and mind as He prepared to die for the sins of the world and to reconcile a world of lost sinners with the Father.  No one else could do what Jesus was about to do.  Jesus said, “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me” (John 16:32).  Jesus knew the disciples would scatter—out of fear primarily.  Fear often leads us to make desperate decisions that are not usually wise or good.  But Jesus knew He was not alone.  The Father had sent Him into the world and the Father would remain with Him.
            We can be comforted in knowing that the Lord is with us as well.  Just as the Father remained with Jesus, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus remains with us.  Jesus promised His disciples (and us), “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18).  Today, almost 2000 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, we take both comfort and joy in knowing that we are not alone.  He is with us.  He promised to remain with His disciples even to the end of the age (see Jesus’ closing words in Matthew 28:20).  He emboldens us to live for Him.  He counsels us as we read and study the Bible.  He shows us the better way to go when we may be wrestling with disobedience.  He comforts us in sleepless nights where the burdens are many and the rest is hard to find.  He forgives us when we repent and comforts a heart and mind disturbed by guilt and shame.  He remains with us. 
            Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b).  To be left alone in the world is a frightening thought.  The world can be a hard, unforgiving, angry and dangerous place.  But we can wake up each day knowing that the Lord is with us.  We are not left alone to fight the temptations, scourges and discouragements of the enemy.  You may remember in Psalm 23:4 that the Lord promised to be with His people when they walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  We have no reason to fear the worst that this world may offer.  In the face of disease, aging and even death, God remains with His people.  And, in the time of His choosing, God calls His people to be with Him for eternity.  Everlasting life is the eternal promise that God is with His people. 
            Psalm 23 further promises that when the Lord is our Shepherd we lack for nothing (23:1).  Nothing means just what it says.  We lack for nothing and that includes God’s presence with us throughout life as the days and years go by.  When we experience God’s forgiveness and respond to His offer of salvation, two special realities take place.  One, our location in life has changed.  We are now “in Christ.”  We are fully saved and forgiven for our sins.  No one can ever take that reality from us.  It is assured and insured by the blood of Jesus at the cross.  We are no longer enemies with God or at war with God.  We are now adopted into His family.  And two, our possession has changed.  The Holy Spirit, promised and sent by Jesus, has come to fill us and indwell us.  He remains with us until the Lord returns for us or calls us home. In the anxious hours leading to the cross, Jesus was comforted and at peace in knowing the Father was with Him and would sustain Him in the work of atonement.  And in the worst moments we face, we can take comfort in knowing that the Lord is with us as well.  His grace is sufficient for all we might face.  And we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).  Have a great Thursday!