The one thing the Israelites could be sure about in the wilderness was that God was with them.
Deuteronomy 8:2 (ESV)
2 And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness…
It was God who led them through the wilderness, going before them in a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21).
Nothing has changed today. As God’s people, we can be sure that God is with us. It is one of the great privileges of being a child of God. We know that no matter what challenges we meet in life; no matter what wilderness we must cross, we do not have to do it alone because God is with us. Jesus told His apostles that He would be with them always (Matthew 28:20). This gave them the boldness to preach in His name, even to those who had the power to put them to death.
Acts 4:12-13 (ESV)
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
The members of the Sanhedrin only had it half right. Yes, the apostles had been with Jesus while He was here on earth, but the truth is, Jesus was still with them in presence when they stood before that powerful court, and they knew it. That is what gave them the courage to do what was right.
This should give us courage too, and it will, but only if we remember God’s presence in our life. Paul reminded the saints in Rome that they could be sure that God was with them based on His actions in the past.
Romans 8:31-32 (ESV)
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
It does not make sense to conclude that God was willing to sacrifice His Son for us just to leave us now. The actions of God in not sparing His one and only Son should convince us that He continues to lead us through the wilderness of life. If His past actions are not enough, then lean upon His Word.
Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV)
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Do you trust God to be with you, and to be your helper in life? If so, do not be overly anxious about life, and do not be afraid to do what Peter and John did, that is, stand up for Jesus even when you find yourself in hostile territory. Live for Christ, and do so openly, telling others about Him as often as you can. With God by your side, you can conquer the world (Romans 8:31-37).
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.