Matt. 28:20 “… lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

​We Christians need not speculate about life on other planets or exactly how far this galaxy is from the next one. We need not ponder over the questions that baffle scientists who earnestly seek to recalibrate the facts of reality with their evolutionary mythology. We do not turn to religion to solve the mysteries of life and existence – we turn to Jesus. We look to Immanuel, “God with us” (Isa. 7:14) and cradle ourselves in His loving, all-knowing arms. He doeth all things well, we are told, and we know it is true, because His presence with us guarantees His watch care over us and His concern for us. Our God is not some far off deity, unknowable, wrapped in confusing darkness. He has not isolated Himself; we have isolated ourselves from Him. The light of a million mornings dawns upon us when we receive Him and welcome His presence within.

​The abiding presence of the Son of God with His people is one of the greatest truths in all the Word of God. While the mad world twirls about in nervous anxiety about politics, destruction, and the madness of the criminal mind, we who know Him as our Savior are told simply to trust in Him. Our perfect love for Him and His for us, casts out all fear. He was with us, not only while He was alive on earth for thirty-three years, but He continues to be with us through the tumultuous, despondent centuries that are written in bloody tales across the pages of history. He is with us today, with all our struggles and difficulties. He will be with us to the end of the world, until that great day when He appears again in the clouds (Rev. 1:7). He will not absent Himself from His creation or His redeemed people. He never has, and He never will. Sin, soon to be vanquished, cannot prevent His illuminating light and love. How often we have sung “He lives within my heart.” And that is enough.

​In bygone days that are only history’s footnotes to us today, the saints of God understood this as well and took comfort in it. It is said that the great evangelist John Wesley, there on his deathbed centuries ago, reminded himself and others of this great truth. Someone recorded his final words before crossing death’s threshold as these: “Best of all, God is with us.”

Immanuel! God with us! We must never forget it. Press on!