“Fear thou not: for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
Towards the end of the ministry of the Apostle Paul, he returned to the city of Caesarea, and was staying in the house of Philip the evangelist. It was there that a certain prophet named Agabus came from Judea and declared that the Jews at Jerusalem would bind Paul, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles, probably referring to the Romans. Those who heard this news besought Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Paul’s answer was crystal clear, “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:13) How could a man, with such a knowledge of his time, and the dangers that would await him in Jerusalem, approach the matter with such a singleness of purpose, and resolve? It seems as though in doing so, Paul would knowingly be putting himself in great danger, but more notably, he would be alone, to stand against the powers of darkness, and those being manipulated by them, seeking his demise, and destruction. How could he embrace such a possibility with such clarity of mind and heart, knowing that he would have the resources to meet, and overcome, every need, “…for the name of the Lord Jesus?” The answer would lie in the matter of faith in the faithful presence, and power of Christ. Though outwardly alone, he would know the presence of Christ in a manner that would enable him to overcome the adversary, and finish his course at that time if need be. How did Paul appropriate, or practice, the presence of Christ?
If ever there was an ardent, meticulous student of the Scriptures, it was the Apostle Paul. His knowledge of the Old Testament was extraordinary. A Pharisee, he knew the Law of Moses, righteously keeping it. But it was not his comprehensive, extensive knowledge of the Old Testament that would be the basis for his faith. It would be the very practical truths, both concerning the person of Christ, of God and His ways, that would enable him to specifically believe in God’s faithful intervention in his life and circumstances. Paul learned to literally live by the truth of what God revealed to him of Himself in the Old Testament. The declared words of God to Israel, would be those stepping-stones upon which Paul would walk, whether to Jerusalem, or to any small town where the Spirit would lead him. The truths, promises as well as the commandments, would be those “footprints” which the Lord would give him, so that he could in difficult circumstances and storms, or along still waters, know the reality of the presence of God. Paul was a free man, to go wherever Christ would send him, for according to the truths that he embraced, he embraced God’s promised, constant presence, which encouraged and strengthened his heart. Practically speaking, how did Paul practice the presence of God?
In the book of Isaiah, in one of those famous passages, which are life-changing because of their simplicity and yet, profound application to our lives, Isaiah communicates the words of the Lord specifically to Israel. In doing so, the Lord provides the believers in Israel, as well as believers today, with a basis for believing Him, trusting in His constant presence, regardless of the circumstance. The Lord speaks to Israel, addressing her as His “servant…, chosen…, and not cast away.” (41:9) He then proceeds to place in their hands wonderful keys to unlock their capacity to trust Him specifically. He says to them: “Fear thou not, for I am with you.” The Lord deals with all fear and dismay, or disappointment, for He promises His presence, His strength, His help, and His keeping. In other words, He promises to be, “…a very present help.” Christ, though present always, is known experientially by those who freely, and earnestly, set Him before them by faith.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to believe wholeheartedly, this day, in Thy constant, helping presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.