You are not alone! by Ps Janette Boland

You are not alone!

There are various groups today claiming to be a way to God. In light of this, the question has been asked, “So why do Christ followers think they are different from other religions?” To seek to explain this, we might look at a passage like Exodus 33:15,16 where Moses encountered a similar problem and found the answer. The answer is the same for us, as Christians, today.

“And Moses said to The Lord, ‘If Your Presence does not go with us, do not carry us up from here! For by what shall it be known that Your people and I have found favour in Your sight? Is it not in Your going with us that we are distinguished, I and Your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

It was after Moses had spent time on the mountain with God, received the tablets of Testimony that, the children of Israel made a golden calf to worship, and God was not pleased! He told Moses to take the people into the Promised Land, but He would not go with them. Moses knew that it was the presence of God with them, which made them different from any other people group. Therefore, Moses pleaded with God that unless He went with them, Moses would not go. He knew it was futile to go without God. There were giants in the land to overcome; there were going to be giant interpersonal, cultural and emotional problems. Moses knew without God; they would never overcome life’s problems.

The same is true today. Without God, life is futile. Jesus came that we might have life and have it abundantly. That does not mean that we will never have problems to overcome, but we would never have to face life alone. Jesus promised us that, He would never leave us or abandon us. He spoke these words,

“In this world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world!” (Jn 16:33)

The Presence of God with us makes us different. It is Christ in us, the hope of glory. Together, with Jesus we can walk through this life into eternity. His presence, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is the power in my life to live as He has called me to live. It is His love, His joy, His provision, His abundance that overflows in me that sets me apart. It is a lifestyle, not a religion, to be a Christ follower. May we, who claim His Name, live as examples of His wonderful Presence! That is what makes us different, Christ in us, the hope of glory!