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NOVEMBER 2020
theGoodnews
He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wing. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. ~ Psalms 91:4 NLT
The Savior’s Great Promise By Pastor John Stewart
“lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” ~ Matthew 28:20 Nothing is more important in the life of every Christian and the overall fruitful ministry of the Body of Christ, than this amazing promise; “lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”. (Matthew 28:20). This assurance of Jesus Christ’s unfailing personal presence, life and power, is promised to every born again Christian and is essential to every “Christian” endeavor for the Lord’s Glory! Every Christian undertaking is useless without the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, provided by His continuing life and presence working for, in and through those who belong to Him. Right attitudes, honed skills, and faithful efforts, even according to God’s Word would not be possible apart from Jesus Christ’s life, personal presence and power working in and through the lives of those who trust in Him. The word “lo” used in this text, is often used in the New Testament, to introduce matters of vital importance! It is a term used to denote that what follows is something to which the reader should give his most earnest attention. It is as if Jesus was saying, pay close attention to this statement, because it is crucially important for you to know and live by! One bible scholar explains Jesus statement in this way: “pay close attention to what I am about to say, because it is the most important of all; I Myself, your Divine, Resurrected, Living, Eternal Lord, am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Albert Barnes explained our Savior’s words in this way: “That is, by My Spirit, Providence, Attending Counsel and Guidance, I will strengthen, assist, and direct you.” This brings valuable insight to the essential truth that Jesus Christ is Divine and if He is only a mere man, or created being, even of the highest order, how could He promise to be "with" all His disciple’s "always”? While the number of His disciples would greatly increase, being scattered far and wide throughout the entire earth for all of human history, if He is "with them always”, He must be God; for no finite creature could thus be present with so many people scattered throughout the world, over all of time, until He comes again! Further, Jesus’ words, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the age”, are declared with a profound Godly emphasis! Jesus is affirming His Eternal Promise that would apply to all believers of all ages until the end of time! His promise is intended to gird His listeners for all times, in the hope that throughout their earthly existence and for all eternity, the promise of life without end! His unfailing promise is still in full force today in the lives of all who have trusted Him as their personal Lord and Savior. How vital it is for all Christians to grasp that this is more than a promise of eternal life, as in a long duration of time, but a promise of His life, love, presence and strength assuring, securing and strengthening the hearts and lives of His redeemed children throughout time and for all eternity! Jesus was saying I am, and will always be with you, and with all those to come, who trust and follow Me as Savior and Lord! Jesus promises every believer of every age, I will always be with you, directing, protecting, enabling, empowering and upholding you by My Spirit and The Word of My Promise! I will bless and keep each of you, as well as all of My faithful servants who labor in following, proclaiming and making My Gospel known in word and deed. In this fast paced, ever-changing world, so filled with evil, danger, and deception, mankind is being overcome by fear, weakness, and inherent human frailty! Arguably, the greatest source of mankind’s fear and worry is trying to live without a personal awareness of “God’s thereness!” Therefore, God’s promise to His believing children “lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” is of such practical daily importance. He is the strength, the refuge and the di-
rector and protector of all those who believe in Him. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) What a marvelous Savior we have, Who has power over life and death, time and eternity, and He is always near to those who have entrusted their lives into His saving power. The Prophet Isaiah declared this truth another way: “The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God stands forever”. (Isaiah 40:8) “The word of our God,” here refers to God’s promise as the Savior, Director, Protector and Deliverer of His believing children, and still applies today in that all His promises to those who believe in Him are unchanging, unfailing and everlasting! God’s Word is a living testimony that shines upon and within His children of faith, by an ever-illuminating awareness of His will and way for our lives. His Word is a “Lamp unto our feet and a Light unto our path.” (Psalm 119:105) The Bible is God’s great revelation of Himself that shines on and in believers lives that they might find sure footing in their daily walk as God’s children. God’s Word is His primary “light” to provide Christians a clear sense of daily direction as to where and how to live out their faith. This assurance of Jesus Christ’s unfailing personal presence, life and power is made most evident in our lives as we learn to live in and by His Word. The word of God directs us in our daily walk and way as His children and what a dark place this world is without it. We thank the Lord that He has given His people, His Word to direct and protect their way in this present evil age! Pastor John Stewart is the Executive Pastor at Revival Christian Fellowship on Scott Road in Menifee, CA. For information about the church or to listen to messages from the pastors go to Revival.TV
