Are You with me?

“Will you come with me?”

“Will you stay in this meeting with me?”

“Will you be here this evening if I need you?”

Over and over, 14-year-old Zeena asked her foster mom these questions. And it’s no wonder. Her story, chronicled in the book, The Child Bride, reveals the ugliness of Zeena’s abuse at the hands of her own relatives.

Although Zeena was estranged from her own family, she soon learned to love her foster mom Cathy. This gripping, true story, illustrates how Cathy displayed Christ-like qualities that endeared Zeena to her. Qualities like kindness, gentleness, honesty, love, and unselfishness, caused Zeena to trust Cathy and cling to her especially during the difficult times.

Cathy could not fix Zeena’s situation. But Cathy was available when Zeena needed her. And Cathy consistently showed love.

Christ does the same for us. Yes, He could fix the situation. While I don’t know why He often doesn’t change our temporal circumstances, He promises over and over throughout scripture, that His presence is with us.

Recently I’ve been encouraged by Psalm 46. Take some time to think about verse 1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Verse 5 has also been especially meaningful. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. Although the ‘her’ literally refers to Jerusalem, figuratively it could refer to believers.

The trials in your life may be as big as elephants and as tough as nails. You are powerless to change them.

Perhaps you have thoughts like these:

“Jesus, will you be with me in my aloneness?”

“Will you stay by my side as I endure this constant pain?”

“Will You go with me, God, even though I don’t know where I’m headed?”

By faith, we believe the answer to these questions is a resounding, “YES!”

Christ’s presence can shrink our most enormous elephants and soften our hardest nails.

When do you most appreciate God’s presence with you?