What other biblical instances show God reassuring His people with His presence? The Anchor Verse: God’s Promise in Haggai 1:13 “Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, delivered the message of the LORD to the people: ‘I am with you,’ declares the LORD.” God With Israel in the Wilderness • Exodus 33:14 — “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” • Deuteronomy 31:6 — “Be strong and courageous… the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” God With Joshua in the Land of Promise • Joshua 1:5 — “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” • Joshua 1:9 — “Do not be afraid… for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” God With Gideon in Personal Weakness • Judges 6:12 — “The Angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.’” • Judges 6:16 — “Surely I will be with you… and you will strike down all the Midianites as one man.” God With David in Dark Valleys • Psalm 23:4 — “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” • Psalm 46:1 — “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” God With the Exiles in the Fire and the Lions’ Den • Daniel 3:25 — “Look! I see four men, unbound and unharmed, and the form of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” • Daniel 6:22 — “My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions.” God With the Prophets in Hostile Times • Isaiah 41:10 — “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God.” • Jeremiah 1:8 — “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you.” • Jeremiah 15:20 — “I will be with you to save you and deliver you.” God With His People in the Promise of Messiah • Isaiah 7:14 — “Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” • Matthew 1:23 — “Immanuel” means “God with us.” God With the Church Through Christ’s Great Commission • Matthew 28:20 — “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” • Acts 18:9-10 — “Do not be afraid… for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you.” God With Believers by His Spirit • John 14:16-17 — “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” • Romans 8:9-11 — “The Spirit of God lives in you.” • 2 Timothy 4:17 — “But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength.” Key Takeaways • From wilderness wanderings to the early church, the Lord’s consistent declaration is “I am with you.” • His presence is both protective and empowering, giving courage in leadership (Joshua), strength in weakness (Gideon), comfort in suffering (David), and boldness in witness (Paul). • The ultimate fulfillment of the promise is Immanuel—Jesus Christ—who dwells with us bodily, and now by His Spirit remains “ever-present” until He returns. |
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