God Is With Us

A careful look at our prayers can reveal the reasons so many Christians live with unnecessary fears and anxieties. Knowing those reasons enable us to better live the joyful lives God wants us to live. Christmas is a good time to do this, because the full, joyful life is one of God’s gifts to us.

For example, one common prayer made by Christians is a prayer asking God to be with them or another Christian. This is true in spite of the many promises that God is already with his people! I wonder why Christians pray this so often instead of simply believing his promise that he is with us! The answer is important because belief – faith in God is crucial to our relationship with God. If any of us are to have any of the joy and peace, he promises us, we need to overcome this problem of not believing his promise.

I think one reason we doubt God’s promise that he is with his people is fear. A situation develops; fear sets in. We think about the fearful circumstances and doubt God’s promise. Two things back up this conclusion. The first is experience, both my own and others. Fearful outlooks and the pleading for God to be with us go together. The second is that God links them together. Take for example Isaiah 41:10a “So do not fear, for I am with you;” and Psalm 23: 4b “I will fear no evil, for you are with me;”

Another reason is a sense of insecurity on our part. We often respond with doubt and fear because we do not have a sense of security in our own abilities. Unfortunately, we transfer that into our relationship with God. The result is a feeling of insecurity in our relationship with God, and a lack of belief in his promises. We do not say this but our actions show this feeling is deep rooted. This ends up in doubting or, to be honest, not believing God’s statements that he is with his people and their security in his love.

Both of those reasons have a common factor: many Christians are ruled by feelings and emotions, not their faith! That is why we live fearful, insecure, anxiety-ridden lives. Rather than basing our lives on the firm rock of God and his Word, we base our lives on ever shifting feelings.

Probably one reason I am sensitive to this in others is that I struggled with it. Growing up, fear and insecurity were commonplace in my life. Along with it was the whole doubt about God’s love and presence. Fortunately, I heard some strong teaching on this issue and saw my father live out his faith not his feelings. The teaching and example helped me realize I can base my life on the fact that God keeps his promises. I learned that whether I felt it or not, God is with me all the time. It is a fact of the Christian life! With that I discovered a completely new way of living. A way based on the facts of living by faith not feelings.

Advent is a pointed reminder of the fact of God’s presence with his people. The Angel said to Joseph, “they will call him Immanuel—which means ‘God with us.” {Matthew 1:23b} Over the next months, Joseph and Mary had many distressing situations. Their marriage started under a cloud because Mary was pregnant. Late in her pregnancy, they took the hard trek to Bethlehem. In Bethlehem, the only place to stay was a cattle shed. Mary gave birth alone, no family support at all. Later they fled for their lives to exile in Egypt. Yet in the Gospel accounts, I find no hint of complaining, moaning, or fear. One reason must be they knew the truth of Immanuel, God was with them!

Observe Advent living out your faith not your fears. Live out the truth of “Immanuel—which means ‘God with us.”

Written by Rev. Daniel B. Baker December 2003



Articles by Rev. Daniel B. Baker :: Webmaster: Joseph I. Baker