Who Is With You?
“[Jairus] implored [Jesus] earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” And [Jesus] went with him.” (Mark 5:23-24)
On a cold desert night, one question rang in Moses’ mind – “Will You be with me?” King after king stared down impossible odds with one question sounding in their ears – “Will You be with me?” When death knocked on the door of a dear daughter, one question sailed from between his lips – “Will You be with me?” When the eleven disciples gathered on the mountain outside of Galilee, when they were tasked with taking the gospel to the far corners of the world and into the depths of hatred and hostility, one question came to the fore – “Will You be with me?” My friends, do we too not ask that question? And do we not all long for the same answer?
When God is with us, what power can stop us? It was not the guile of Gideon, the strength of Samson, nor the evasiveness of Ehud which brought deliverance over a host of enemies. No, it was God with them. Before God, the mightiest of men are but mice, and armies an ant hill. God stores snow and hail for the great day of battle, and the very lightning goes where He commands. With His voice, stars stand at attention; with His finger, the plagues annihilate Egypt; with His arm, He defeats sin and Satan. And with His Son, oh with that most glorious Son - Jesus Christ, with that Son who took on the form of a weak and feeble servant, the power of God was made most manifest. In His death, death died; and in His resurrection, righteousness reigned. Is this not the power of God displayed (1 Cor. 1:18)?
When God is with us, what wisdom can outsmart us? “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” His wisdom ordered this world from mountain to midges, from solar systems to sunflowers. Though Satan brought more disorder and confusion upon this world than the US Tax Code, the wisdom of God untied every knot and untangled every plot. The crafty were caught in their schemes as the Wisdom of God hung upon that tree. Not a soul on this earth can outsmart nor outmaneuver the God who knows all things, plans all things, and decrees all things.
Reader, where are you going? What valley of the shadow of death stands before you? What temptation does Satan dangle before you? What sin and what sickness looms over you like an impenetrable mountain? The question is not what is before you, the question is Who is with you?
