God’s Eternal Plan

August 2024

God’s Eternal Presence

Life can be difficult and unpredictable. We live in a world of constant change. People come into our lives, and they are constantly leaving. Whether in our families, our relationships, our workplace, our communities, our church, and even in death, things change, and people leave. Therefore, God’s promise of his eternal presence is encouraging; the promise of his eternal presence brings comfort and courage to all believers.

God’s promise of his eternal presence is a reality in both the Old and the New Testaments. For Joshua, the prospect of conquering the Promised Land must have seemed impossible. Indeed, had Joshua relied on his own strength and/or the strength of the people, conquering the Promised Land would have been impossible. And yet, with the presence of the Lord the task was possible because the Lord would not forsake Joshua. God promised Joshua, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5, ESV).

The task of building God’s temple was painstakingly detailed. The responsibility for building the temple was given to David’s son Solomon. Such an important task must have seemed impossible. And yet, with the presence of the Lord the task was possible because the Lord would not forsake Solomon. Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do it [the work]. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished” (1 Chronicles 28:20, ESV).

The God who promised to never leave Joshua and Solomon is the same God who says he will never leave believers today. In the moment of salvation, believers are permanently indwelt with the Holy Spirit; the Comforter; God himself. Jesus himself affirmed the eternal presence of God, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16, ESV).

God’s eternal presence is not only comforting, but it also brings courage to believers.

Because God will never leave or forsake his children, believers can live unafraid. Believers can be emboldened and strengthened to complete the tasks God has given each of us to complete. For regardless of the unpredictability of life and the constant changes we experience, the Lord will never leave or forsake his children.

In Christ