God Goes with You
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” – Psalm 139:7-10, NIV
Before our family took a trip to the Middle East, a family member told me she worried we would be in danger there. She asked me to consider canceling the trip because of ongoing conflicts in that part of the world. But we went ahead with the trip. It was a pilgrimage I believed God was leading us to take. While we were there, we saw soldiers with guns in the streets, and we even saw smoke rising in the distance from an active conflict across a border. But we never worried that we weren't safe, because God had led us there, and even more importantly, God was with us there.
Have you ever stood on the edge of a new opportunity and felt a mix of excitement and fear? The unknown has a way of stirring up uncertainty. You may wonder if you’re truly ready to step into that opportunity. Maybe you sense God leading you to take a leap of faith, but you wonder if something will go wrong because you’re alone and unable to manage a situation alone.
Psalm 139:7-10 encourages you with a powerful truth: You are never alone!
King David, who wrote Psalm 139, described noticing God’s presence in awe-inspiring ways. He knew God was already there, no matter where David thought of going. If he soared to the heavens, God was there. If he found himself in the most bottomless abyss, God was there. Even if he traveled to the farthest reaches of the sea, he knew God would still be there with him.
God’s presence isn’t limited by space or time. There is no place too far, no environment too foreign, and no situation too overwhelming for God. God will be there whether you find yourself in a busy city or a remote wilderness. Someone who knows you well – your Heavenly Father – will be there if you visit a foreign country. When you’re not traveling to a new physical place but are simply stepping into a new opportunity at work, church, or home, God will be there. God has already gone before you, preparing the way, and he will be with you in every step you take. You can count on God going with you, anywhere and anytime!
So, if you want to explore a new opportunity God is making possible – either far away on a trip, or locally through a new challenge at home, work, or church – don’t be afraid to go for it! When you travel, you won’t be alone. God’s Holy Spirit will be with you on the plane, car, train, and wherever you go. When you take on a new challenge nearby, like a new project or role, God will be beside you as you enter that opportunity. God doesn’t send you anywhere alone. He walks beside, ahead, and even behind you, covering you in his love!
Even if you encounter unexpected challenges – like delays or obstacles – God will still be there. He is always available, ready to listen to your prayers and respond by giving you what you need. As Psalm 139 says, God’s hands will guide and hold you fast. You’re in God’s hands; there’s no better place to be.
So, what’s holding you back? Don’t let fear of the unknown prevent you from taking the journey God wants you to take. Step forward with the confidence that wherever you go, God goes with you!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how God goes with you wherever you go, reflect on these questions:
- What new opportunity do you sense God may lead you to move into? Are you excited, afraid, or a mix of both emotions?
- When was a time that you experienced God’s presence in an unfamiliar or challenging place? How did that give you confidence and help you trust God there?
- How can you remind yourself daily that God goes with you wherever you go?
Further Reading
Deuteronomy 31:8
Joshua 1:9
Matthew 28:20
Romans 8:38-39
Isaiah 41:10
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Huseyin Bostanci
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