One of the most powerful expressions in the Bible is when God says, “I will be with you.” It is huge when He says things like, “I love you” and “I forgive you” and “I have plans for you,” but there is just something especially reassuring about “I will be with you.”

For example, when Moses was feeling completely inadequate for the daunting task of leading the children of Israel out of Egypt, to calm his fears, God told him “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:11-12).

And when Moses’ successor, Joshua, was very nervous about the assignment of leading the people the rest of the way, God told him “I will be be with you” (Joshua 1:1-5).

When the disciples were trying to comprehend how they would be able to carry the mission of making disciples forward after Jesus’ departure, He said to them “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:19-20).

It seems that the Lord knows that what we need to hear most when we are scared is a reminder of His presence with us. He knows that we get courage to take the next step when we have someone that we trust by our side.

Makenzie, that’s what got you across the threshold of a dark bedroom at nightime when you were a little girl, knowing that I was with you.

That’s what convinced you to leave the kiddie pool for the big pool even when you couldn’t touch the bottom, knowing that I was with you.

That’s what eased your fears about your first day of school and helped you go find your seat in the classroom, knowing that I was with you.

That’s what helped you rise to the challenge of your first half-marathon, knowing that I was with you.

That’s what helped you learn how to drive a car, a stick-shift even, knowing that I was with you.

Well, Makenzie, this is the point at which I will not always be with you. But you must go forward with courage and passion anyway, because the Lord will always be with you. He promised.

“…I am with you always.” Jesus, Matthew 28:20

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.