Which other scriptures emphasize God's presence with us in times of trouble? Setting the Scene: Jeremiah 20:11 “ But the LORD is with me like a fearsome warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble and will not prevail. They will be utterly ashamed, because they have not acted wisely; an everlasting disgrace will never be forgotten.” Jeremiah, battered by ridicule and threats, draws courage from one core reality: the Lord is not distant—He stands by him as a warrior who cannot lose. God’s Steady Presence Across Scripture The same assurance runs like a golden thread from Genesis to Revelation: • Isaiah 41:10 — “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” • 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; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” • Psalm 46:1-2 — “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas.” • Deuteronomy 31:6 — “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” • Joshua 1:9 — “Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” • Matthew 28:20 — “And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” • John 14:16-18 — “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever… I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” • Romans 8:35, 37-39 — “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? … in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us… nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” • 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 — “We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” • Hebrews 13:5-6 — “For God has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’ ” Patterns to Notice • His presence is personal: “I am with you,” not merely with “us.” • Trouble is assumed, not denied—valleys, persecution, upheaval—yet fear is unnecessary. • God’s nearness carries action: He strengthens, upholds, fights, comforts, helps, advocates. • Old Covenant and New alike echo the same promise; Christ and the Spirit fulfill it fully. • The promise is eternal—“forever,” “always,” “to the end of the age.” Encouraging Takeaways for Today • Whatever the circumstance, the Lord stands beside His people as surely as He stood beside Jeremiah. • Feelings fluctuate; His covenant word does not. Anchor your heart in what He says, not what you sense. • Because He is with you, courage is not wishful thinking—it is logical faith. • Even if opposition seems overwhelming, remember the “fearsome warrior” who cannot fail; victory is ultimately His, therefore yours in Him. |
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