Transcript
Genesis 31:3 records the Lord's word to Jacob: "Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you." This promise was not given when Jacob's life was easy, but when he was under pressure. For twenty years, he worked for Laban. His wages were changed ten times; he endured the heat by day, the cold by night, lack of sleep, loss of livestock, and unfair treatment. Yet, Jacob still said, "The God of my father has been with me." He realized that without the Lord's presence, he would surely have returned empty-handed. It is the same with us. Ministry, church, family, work, business, and education cannot survive on human strength alone. Jesus said in John 15:5, "Apart from me you can do nothing." Like an expensive keyboard that will not function without being connected to a power source, our lives will not function according to God's will if disconnected from His presence. We need a continuous relationship with God through prayer, the Word, obedience, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Noah's ark also teaches dependence on God. God provided the dimensions and instructions for its construction very meticulously, but the Bible does not record the existence of a rudder to steer the ark. Noah was not called to control the storm; he was called to obey, enter the ark, and entrust the direction of his journey to God. There are times when we do not know where life is taking us, but we can remain calm because God is in control. The Lord's presence is also not always visible to the physical eye. In 2 Kings 6, Elisha's servant was terrified when he saw their city surrounded by the Aramean army. But Elisha said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." After God opened his eyes, he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire. The problem is not that God is absent, but that human eyes often only see the threat. Like a small child who remains calm in the dark when their father's hand holds theirs, such is our faith. We may not see God's face, not understand His path, and not yet see the answer to our prayers, but we can trust that His hand never lets us go. Throughout the twenty years of Bethany Sydney's journey, we can testify: not because we are strong, but because God is faithful. He is with us in easy and difficult times. Therefore, do not be afraid to face tomorrow. Immanuel—God is with us. The God who has been with us until today will continue to say, "I will be with you." May the Lord Jesus bless you.
