Day After Day

 Belinda Kersey  written on 6/21/09

God’s Word

“Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 The Message

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” NKJV

The Song
Always by Building 429

My Thoughts
When Christ had completed his visit with the disciples, following his resurrection, he gave them instructions to go and make disciples throughout all the world.  He was giving these instructions in the moments before he was leaving this earth and ascending to heaven.  I’m sure the disciples were more than a little apprehensive to realize that they were being asked to go into the world and convince people to follow a God who had been killed and buried.  Yes, the disciples were seeing him resurrected and in the flesh but Jesus was telling them that he wouldn’t be there as proof of their outrageous statements to a skeptical world. 

For 3 years he had been the star of their show.  He performed the miracles and made the bold proclamations.  He was their front man and eventually their fall guy.  Now, he wanted them to travel without him and bring in new followers to the fold?  Jesus had full knowledge of what he was asking them to do and what their journey would entail.  I believe that is why his final statement to them was the assurance that he would always be with them.  I like the way The Message interprets his words to say that as they followed the path he was asking them to take, that he would be with them “day after day after day”.  

The task he had set before them would be a day in and day out lifestyle.  They would face trouble and persecution.  But how comforting to know that he would ALWAYS be with them.  Even though he was leaving them physically, he could now be with them every moment in his glorified state.  No matter what they faced, even until time ended, they had his assurance of his presence.  What had his presence meant to them in the last three years?  It had meant provision of their daily needs, joy, companionship, all manner of miracles, laughter, peace, comfort.  It had meant the world.  Now he was promising that those things would not end.

My friend, Jesus promises the very same thing to you.  Day after day after day as you face difficulty and the life you live, he is with you.  He never fails.  As the song says “ I don’t know where you are and I don’t know where you’ve been. Maybe you’re fighting for your life or just about to throw the towel in. But, if you’re crying out for mercy, if there’s no hope left at all.  If you’ve given everything you’ve got and you’re still about to fall.  Well hold on, hold on, hold on, cause even when all hope is gone, God knows our pain and his promise remains, He will be with you always.”

Your Response
Acknowledge to your Savior that you know he is with you always.  Thank him for walking by your side through every moment of your life.  Know that you are not alone.