The 'Withness' of God
What a privilege to start our year by declaring the WITHNESS of God! As we come out of the Christmas season, the name Immanuel, God With Us, has been featured in songs, nativity plays, and at church, as it was shared many times on social media platforms. But the truth is that this name of God is not just a name to be used during the Christmas season BUT ALL 366 DAYS of the year.
Not only does the Gospel of Matthew open with it –
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God WITH us”) Matthew 1:23 NIV; it also closes with it –
And surely, I am WITH you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20b
What a privilege to follow up the above reassuring words of Jesus, known as the Great Commission, with the promise of the Father –
“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” Acts 1:4
I love how Andrew Murray, in his book, With Christ in the School of Prayer, explains this verse and, in so many ways, the WITHNESS of God!
Jesus’ whole purpose after He made atonement with His own blood was to enter into God’s presence and obtain the Holy Spirit for us, sending Him down to dwell in us. Because He is the Spirit of the Father and the Son, the whole life and love of the Father and the Son are in Him. Coming down among us, He lifts us up into the fellowship of the Father and the Son.
But is that true of our lives? Is the Presence of the Holy Spirit, and the fellowship of the Father and Son or as I like to call it, the WITHNESS of God, our daily experience? Can we testify that God is WITH us as individuals, families and churches? Can we confidently confess that God sees, hears, watches, listens, and answers us? Let us return to His Word and remind ourselves of His many promises.
Isaiah 41:10 reads, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
I love how John Piper explains this verse:
- I am your God – over you.
- I am your God with you – by your side.
- I will strengthen you – from inside of you.
- I will help you – all around you from wherever the enemy comes.
- I will uphold you – from underneath you.
What a beautiful unpacking of the WITHNESS of God as being over us, by us, inside us, around us, and underneath us!
Isaiah 43:2 reads, “When you pass through the waters, I will be WITH you; And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
I love how Charles Spurgeon applies this verse and precious promise to situations he terms WHERE THERE IS NO BRIDGE! And we have all been in such conditions, knowing all too well how devastating they can be.
2 Chronicles 32:7, 8 reads, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power WITH us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but WITH us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.
I so appreciate King Hezekiah’s leadership in what must have been a terrifying situation for the nation of Israel. His clarity in a time of confusion and pressure and his unwavering faith in the living God encourage me again to pray for those in leadership positions.
Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are WITH me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
When we are in the valley of the shadow of death, God is WITH us! The Shepherd is WITH the sheep. Jesus is not a hireling who runs away at the sight of danger, He is a true Shepherd who lay down His life for His sheep. (John 10:11-15)
It was what happened to Daniel’s three friends! He was WITH them in the fire. King Nebuchadnezzar said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:25)
Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God is WITH you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you WITH singing.”
How wonderful to be reminded that God is also with us in restoration and celebration!
May we be encouraged to go into 2024 knowing beyond any doubt that the words of Jesus, “And surely, I am WITH you always, to the very end of the age”, are valid in every situation and all circumstances!
Please close your eyes in prayer as I thank God through the words of JC Ryle for His WITHNESS here at the beginning of 2024!
Thank you, God, that you are …
WITH us daily to pardon and forgive
WITH us daily to sanctify and strengthen
WITH us daily to defend and keep
WITH us daily to lead and guide
WITH us in sorrow and WITH us in joy
WITH us in sickness and WITH us in health
WITH us in life and WITH us in death
WITH us in time and WITH us in eternity
