“And be sure of this:
I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 18:20b NLT
~~~~~
As we face 2012, some people are expecting a year of clear sailing. Others have concerns over what the new year may hold. Whatever 2012 brings us, none of us have been on this stretch of our life’s road before. However, the good news is we will not be alone - our Lord will be with us all the way - whether we are skipping along smooth places or struggling over rough ground. His presence will make the smooth places all the more enjoyable, and because He is by our side we can be assured He will help us over the rough and difficult stretches! His promise is be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.If we had the choice, most all of us would choose a smooth path. But with everything going smoothly for too long, we are likely to begin to feel like we are in control of life, and the presence of the Lord won’t seem all that important to us.
On the other hand, if our path is rough and difficult for long periods of time, we soon become aware that we really are not in control, and when we are crying out to God for help, and no help seems to come, we begin to question – where is God, why isn’t He helping me with my struggles?
If that should happen, our focus needs to be redirected - off our struggle - and on the Lord’s promise, I am with you always. By faith we need to acknowledge and praise Him for His presence whatever we are going through. The smooth and the rough are both designed by Him to teach us to trust Him more. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God promised, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you. So we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper.”
In 1897 Ludie D. Pickett wrote:
“When in affliction’s valley
I’m treading the road of care,
My Savior helps me to carry
My cross when heavy to bear,
Though all around me is darkness,
Earthly joys all flown;
My Savior whispers His promise,
“I never will leave thee alone.”
“No, never alone,
No, never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.”
Listen to Randy Knaps sing: NO NEVER ALONE
