In The Midst



Wayne With Friends at Holmes Bay Church

There is an old hymn that my friends and I loved to sing when we were teenagers. The chorus says, "No, never alone, No, never alone, He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone."
Jesus did promise His eternal presence with His people on several occasions. Even when He stood on the Mount of Olives immediately before He ascended into Heaven He said, "I am with you always." What a comfort it is to know that nothing can separate the believer from our Creator, our Friend, our Redeemer, our King. No matter what happens -- whether in life or in death -- He is with us every hour of the day and every step of the way.

 Once a friend and I went to a Pastor's Wives Conference and there were around 3,000 of us there. What a blessed privilege to be surrounded by so many who love the Lord and fellowship together in joy and harmony. Last year we went to a conference where nearly 5,000 people were gathered in one place. What a thrill to hear all those voices as we joined together in worship, singing praises to our glorious God and Loving Savior. At both of those events the teaching, the testimonies, and the fellowship were something one can never forget.

 

There have been many times over the years of our lives that we have met with the few. Wayne and I were the only two at prayer meeting a few times. But even then, God was with us and ministered His grace to us. Jesus made it clear that He does not only minister in the big conferences or the mega Churches. He tenderly reminds us in Matthew 18:20, ". . .for where two or three are  gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

 

Some of our greatest blessings have come at times when there were only a few of us. One of those times was at a prayer meeting in our local Church. There were less than a dozen of us at a midweek prayer service, and Wayne was leading the meeting. An elderly, retired pastor was in the service as he often was. At one point he spoke up and said that he had been reading the verse that where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is in the midst. Then he began to weep. He told us that He had burdens on his heart and as he thought of that verse again, he looked around the room. "Look", he said, "I am right in the middle of all of you. That means JESUS is right beside me!" The very thought was uplifting to each one of us!

 

Many years ago, I read a book by a monk named Brother Lawrence. I honestly do not remember much about the book but I remember the title: Practice the Presence of God. The very thought of being aware of the presence of our Lord is a wonderful one. Jesus will (and does) walk with us wherever we go. What a comfort!

 

Haldor Lillenas wrote these words:

 

"Jesus will walk with me down thru the valley, Jesus will walk with me over the plain;
When in the shadow or when in the sunshine,  If He goes with me I shall not complain.

 

"Jesus will walk with me when I am tempted,  Giving me strength as my need may demand;
When in affliction His presence is near me, I am upheld by His almighty hand.

 

"Jesus will walk with me, guarding me ever, Giving me victory thru storm and thru strife;
He is my Comforter, Counselor, Leader, Over the uneven journey of life.

"Jesus will walk with me in life’s fair morning, And when the shadows of evening must come;
Living or dying, He will not forsake me. Jesus will walk with me all the way home."

 

Imagine! He is with us one on one, He is with us in our large gatherings. And where there are only two or three who love Him, He is in the midst! How thankful we ought to be.