My son, when he was quite young, needed a baby tooth extracted. I sat with him in the room while the dentist performed the procedure. I wanted my presence to give him reassurance and comfort. The procedure went well, but I was the one who needed to go to the recovery room, not my son.
Perhaps you are facing a situation that makes you nervous, or means taking a step of faith in difficult circumstances.
You might not only think, “I’m not up for this,” but you could think, “I’m not the right person for this.” “I’m not strong enough, smart enough, or spiritual enough.”
When God told Moses to go to Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses’ first words weren’t bold or confident. They were questioning:
“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)
And God answered:
“I will be with you.” (Exodus 3:12).
It’s interesting that God doesn’t reassure Moses by telling Moses that he has got what it takes. That would be our natural reaction—to assure a person of their strengths, value, and how they could fulfill the role. Instead, God’s answer is about himself: “I will be with you.”
Sometimes, when we’ve had God’s words “I will be with you” quoted to us, or we’ve read them for ourselves, they don’t feel like enough.
We’re still nervous. We’re still unsure. We still feel the weight of our inadequacies even though we tell ourselves “God is with me” again and again, and pray over those words.
So, what does “I will be with you” really mean and what can we learn from it for difficult times ahead?
God’s words are not meant to be just a vague, comforting phrase. They are a solid promise from God himself of his presence, power, and protection.
When God gave this promise to Moses, he was giving him His full attention and authority.
Charles Simeon, a British biblical commentator says: “If God was with him [Moses], what could he have to fear? He would be guided by a wisdom that could not err, and aided by a power that could not be overcome.”
The same promise has been passed down the generations to us. It was made to Isaac:
The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. Genesis 26:2-3
The same promise was made to Jacob:
Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” Genesis 31:3
The same promise was made to Joshua, and the same assurance is given to us:
God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” Hebrews 13:5–6
We must remember that God doesn’t just stand beside us as an observer—he sustains us, strengthens us, and equips us.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
You may be facing something today or tomorrow that makes you feel unqualified or overwhelmed. God doesn’t say he’s with you because you’re ready or you’ve got what it takes. He says he is with you because he makes you ready and gives you what is needed by his presence, power, and protection.
Like Moses, your confidence doesn’t come from who you are—it comes from who is with you.
LIsten for God saying, “I am with you” and know he is enough. Take a moment and use this prayer.
Pray
