I Am With You

Often times we look at ourselves and think we aren’t qualified for certain tasks. I’m too old, I’m too young, I don’t have the academic qualifications, I’m a baby Christian. I don’t know anything about the Bible. How can I discuss it with someone?

I heard a message this past week the person was talking about Jesus. This one line jumped out at me. My spiritual ears tuned into those words… “I will be with you.” They echoed in my mind even up to the time of this writing. I knew I had to write something. I looked up a number of scriptures where God/Jesus/Holy Spirit spoke those words to people throughout the Bible. A few key examples come to mind.

God would answer each one. I will be with you.

Abraham, went out not knowing where he was going, all he knew was that God said, “I’ll be with you.” Hebrews 11:8

Jacob, wrestled with the Lord. Faced many hardships but the Lord said, “I’ll be with you.” Genesis 32:22-32

Moses, “I’m slow of speech and tongue how can I be a leader? “I know Moses, but I’ll be with you.” Exodus 4:10

Gideon, “How can I rescue Israel. My clan is the least in Manasseh and I’m the youngest of my family.” “I know, but I’ll be with you,” Judges 6:15

Samson, “Strong, but his weakness for Delilah cost him his eyes and his strength.” The Lord said, “I’ll be with you.” Judges 16

David, “This armor is too big.” It is, but I’ll be with you. 1 Samuel 17:39

Jabez, “I don’t want to cause pain.” I understand, I’ll be with you. 1 Chronicles 4:9-11

Mary, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me. I’ll be with you. Luke 1:38

Martha, “Troubled and worried about many things.” I’ll be with you. Luke 10:40-42

Elijah, “I’m the only one left.” Not true but, I’ll be with you. 1 Kings 19:9-11

Daniel, “Lion’s den? Really?” I’ll be with you. Daniel 6

Naomi, her husband died and both of her sons, but her daughter-in-law Ruth clung to her. She was not alone. “I’ll be with you.” Ruth 1:14

There are so many more…even Jesus, when he was in human form, in a lonely garden, prayed and said, Father let this cup pass from me…never-the-less not my will but thine be done. Matthew 26:38-40

These words He spoke to his disciples, I will be with you always. He knew what it was to be utterly and completely alone. Suffering taught him obedience and so, He would never leave us nor forsake us. He said, “I’ll be with you.” Matthew 28:19-20

I’ll be with you, when the doctor says there is no hope. I’ll be with you, when the divorce papers are signed. I’ll be with you, when you’re abandoned and left as orphans. I’ll be with you, when you lose your job, and the bills aren’t paid. I’ll be with you, when a loved one dies. I’ll be with you, when you’re sent to prison. I’ll be with you, when the alcohol addiction doesn’t end. I’ll be with you, when you’re sent off to war. I’ll be with you, when you feel isolated, alone and defeated. When you take your last breath, I’ll be with you. Jesus is saying, “I’ll always be with you.” Through every trial and tribulation, every heartache and every pain. Every anxiety and fear. Do not be afraid, I Am With You!

I’ll be with you in good times and not so good times. Weary soldier, do not give up take hold of my promise, I will always be with you!

God is faithful. In every unimaginable circumstance know this, you are not alone. Jesus says, I am with you.

Marla Shaw O’Neill December 10, 2021

Genesis 28:15 ESV / 117

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Joshua 1:9 ESV / 14

Have I not commanded 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.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV /

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV /

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Psalm 23:4 ESV /

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.

Haggai 1:13 ESV /

Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, “I am with you, declares the Lord.”

Deuteronomy 20:1 ESV /

“When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

Isaiah 43:2 ESV / 146

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Matthew 28:19-20 ESV /

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.”

Hebrews 13:5 ESV /

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.”

Judges 6:15-16 ESV

And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

Isaiah 43:2 The Passion Translation

² When you pass through^[a] the deep, stormy sea, you can count on me to be there with you. When you pass through raging rivers, You will not drown. When you walk through persecution like fiery flames, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you,

Footnotes: Isaiah 43:2 God’s method of deliverance is often not “out of” but “through.” His presence as we go through difficulties becomes our deliverance. See Ps. 23:4.

Acts 18:9-10 The Passion Translation

⁹ One night, the Lord spoke to Paul in a supernatural vision and said, “Don’t ever be afraid. Speak the words that I give you and don’t be intimidated, ¹⁰ because I am with you. ^[a] No one will be able to hurt you, for there are many in this city whom I call my own.”