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Isaiah 41:10
You may not fit in, your companions and even family members may come against you, loneliness can test your faith - "Aren't people supposed to show us God's grace and love? especially those of the Church...?"
Isaiah 41:10 reminds us of an unshakable truth: You are never alone in this world despite how people treat you.
Jesus walks beside us, guiding us through every shadow and uncertainty of this life into His glorious light (John 15:18-21). Though the enemy may instill doubt, and though life’s burdens may feel too heavy, you have nothing to fear because God is on your side, man cannot go against you (Romans 8:31, Psalm 118:6).
Jesus is with you, shielding you from every attack. His presence dispels the darkness and will fill you with the strength and courage to keep moving forward (Isaiah 62:8, Isaiah 49:5). Even though evil may surround you, Jesus will hold you with His righteous hand, and His light will guide you through the darkest of alleys (psalm 23:4). You may stumble, but you will not fall because our Savior is by your side. His promise is sure: He will uphold you, strengthen you, and deliver you from every danger (Isaiah 40:30-31, Isaiah 40:29, Isaiah 25:4). When you feel like life is closing in, remember: Jesus has already won the battle (1 Corinthians 15:57). You may face unimaginable difficulties, but through Jesus, you will overcome (1 John 4:4). Let His light fill your heart with hope and know that He is leading you into peace, security, and everlasting joy (Isaiah 61:3).
"So do not fear,
for I am with you."
Everyday of your life is filled with the presence of God (Psalms 139:7-12). God promises to be with you here, now and always. Wherever you are right now as you’re reading these words, God is with you.
When you took your first breath, God was there (Jeremiah 1:5).
When you are in your darkest moments, God is with you. Wherever you have been, wherever you are, wherever you will be—God is there too.
So do not be afraid, you are not alone.
How do you see glimpses of God's presence in your everyday life?
1
"Do not be dismayed,
for I am your God."
We will all have moments of feeling discouraged. God understands what it means to have hard days and tears. God does not expect you to be perfect, He offers you His strength (Ephesians 6:10, Philippians 4:13).
It is not about looking like you have it all together; it is about knowing God alone holds us together. Sometimes, we can’t feel it, see it, or imagine it but our victory is still sure in Jesus Christ (Deuteronomy 20:4, Corinthians 15:57). Not because of us or anything we do, but because of the undefeatable God who lives within us.
2
"I will strengthen you
and help you."
Jesus wept too, He understands your pain. As God strengthened Jesus in His most sorrowful and vulnerable moments, God will strengthen and help you.
John 11:32-36: When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”'
Mark 14:32-42: Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
You will never have to rely only on your own strength or resources to do God's Will, let His grace work through you. You will never be too weak because you have Christ, our saviour, living within you (Galatians 2:20)
Nothing is too hard for YOUR God, which means nothing he has called you to do today will be too hard for you. What do you need God's help with today?
3
"I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
4
"You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the LORD helped me." (Psalms 118:13-18)
Though you may fall, you will not be utterly cast down; For the Lord will uphold you with His hand (Psalms 37:24). God's hand is always there to lift you back up and save you (Psalm 108:6). When you fall down and feel like you can't get up, when you feel like you can't do another day, God will uphold you with his Righteous right hand (Psalm 37:23-24). You are not walking this life in your own strength. God, Creator of this world is holding your hand.
God's righteous hand executes justice and judgement (Isaiah 50:11). He promises to protect you in your hardest and darkest moments (Psalm 23:4). God's presence is always with us through the Holy Spirit guiding us in truth (John 16:13). We make mistakes because we all fall short of the glory of God but it's okay, rely on the never-changing one Jesus to help you (Romans 3:23).
"For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you." (Isaiah 41:13).
'The voice of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.' - Psalms 118:15-16
(Isaiah 41:11-13) Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them— Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. 'For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’'
Matthew 28:20: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Through Faith in Jesus Christ, we receive God's Spirit, Our Helper (John 14:25-26):
Luke 24:49
“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” '
John 14:16-20
'And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. '
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Jesus removed the veil: separation between God and Humans because of sin (II Corinthians 3:14) so we can pray to God anytime and anywhere.
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David writes in Psalms 139:7-12 "Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."
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Prophet Jonah attempted to run away from God's plan but could not escape (Jonah 1:3). Remind yourself of God's promises and eternal presence. Allow God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit granted by Jesus & His Word. Moments of Isolation can be an invitation to talk with God just like Jesus did (Luke 5:16).
Emmanuel; God be with you in Jesus' name, amen.
The Holy Spirit: Your Companion
Isaiah 41:9
'You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away:'
NOT ALONE
IN YOUR SUFFERING
Isaiah 49:14-15: 'But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.'
In God's Word, we see examples of several people who suffered and were also not perfect in their walk of faith (Romans 15:4-5 , 1 Peter 5:9). You may be able to identify with Joseph’s abandonment, Moses’ insecurity, David’s anxiety, Elijah’s depression, or Jonah’s anger. Everyone recorded in the Bible experienced a form of vulnerability to sin we can relate to. Each person struggled yet God helped them, they sinned yet God still used them. All grew stronger in faith as a result of suffering. As we read the testimonies of God’s people recorded in the Bible, we are able understand that we are not alone and can learn from God's power in their testimonies.
God relates to you in your suffering.
Christ was “made in every respect like us” (Hebrews 2:17) and faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). Because of this, Jesus is uniquely qualified to be our “merciful and faithful High Priest” (Hebrews 2:17), able to empathise fully with every aspect of the human condition. Whether we feel physical pain, endure rejections and abandonment, or feel weary or sad; Christ has felt it too. No matter what our circumstance, the Lord is able to connect with our experience. Because Christ has stood in our shoes, we can keep our eyes fixed on him, as “the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
We grow closer to Christ by “Sharing in his death” through our suffering, and enjoying His unconditional mercies and grace every day along the way, (Philippians 3:10-11). We are never alone. Jesus is our faithful and merciful companion on the journey. As God promised, He will always be with you (Matthew 28:20).