“And Moses said, ‘If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 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?'” – Exodus 33:15, 16
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” – Psalm 23:4
“Fear not for I am with you: be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
“And behold, I am with you always…” – Matthew 28:20
“And He said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.'” – Luke 23:43
The promise that Jesus gives to this man on the cross next to Him is one that He makes to each of us that call upon His name in faith…fellowship with Jesus. To be with Him is our greatest reward and the only one that matters! Our salvation is the restoration of a long time broken relationship between us and the One who made us…and who loves us.
The Scriptures are clear that it is His presence that brings us comfort. It is His presence that defines us as His people. When God told Moses that He would not go into the promised land with the people, Moses said to God that he would rather stay in the wilderness with God than go into the promised land without Him. His presence is everything!
His presence was the source of David’s confidence in his life. It seemed to be the most important part of his prayers throughout the Psalms, even when he had messed things up he prayed,
“Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” – Psalm 51:11
Yes, the salvation we receive from the Lord gives us eternal life and a dwelling place in heaven, but it also begins a beautiful relationship now…today. Jesus described the experience to the disciple John like this,
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 4:20
The thief on the cross only had a few more hours to live but his last few hours were spent with Jesus. The promise of Jesus was more than just a comfort about where he would spend eternity…it was a source of peace and strength in that very moment. In his last hours he knew he was loved. He knew he was right with God. He knew that he was forgiven and…for the first time…free from the sins that had enslaved him.
Believer, we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to enjoy fellowship with Jesus. He is with you today! He is there with you in the midst of your chaos. He is there with you in the celebrations of life. He is there with you through the “valleys” as well.
Today, take advantage of it! He is with you! It is the truth that will change your day…Jesus says to you,
“Today you will be with me…”