When times are scary there is nothing better than knowing someone is with you.

Three years ago, I broke my neck and cut off half of my scalp when I fell into a piece of heavy equipment.  The impact knocked me to the ground, and I immediately laid flat on my back while I held my neck stable.  I like to joke that my wife, Julie, checked on my life insurance values before dialing 911 but the truth is that she remained calm, and because I knew she was right there with me, I remained calm too.

In one of my favorite Bible verses, God says, “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10).  More than saying, “I’m here,” God gives us even more powerful words, “I am with you.”  Perhaps it is no wonder that the very last words Jesus spoke on earth were, “I am with you always, even to the end of time” (Matthew 28:20).

What could be more comforting than this?  Beyond, “I’m here”, Jesus says, “I’m with you.”  Yes – with you. As in right next to you.  Alongside you.  Near you.  To make it even more clear, the Bible says that God’s right hand holds our right hand (Isaiah 41:14) and the only way that can happen is when God is facing you.    

It’s funny how so many of us feel like we need to earn someone else’s love.  For example, I better take out the garbage, or clean the kitchen, or do my homework first. . . Otherwise, you’re not going to love me.  Worse than this, many of us subconsciously feel the need to prove our own worthiness – even to ourselves.  For example, we may only feel lovable after we get an A on the test, make the big sale, or reach some level of performance.

But this is not the way it is with Jesus.  He loves us always.  The Bible makes this so clear, and goes so far to say, even though we are sinners, God loves us.   And he is with us always.  All the time.

There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus was with me when I broke my neck, and he is here with you and I, right now.   Jesus loves you so much.   He wants to hold your hand and be with you, right next to your heart.