David Chadwick
Ponder the Preposition: With
This week, we will look at another antidote for dealing with anxiety’s arsenic: pondering the prepositions. When you look at some of the prepositions in the English vocabulary and connect them to God, you will find a potent faith perspective that forces anxiety to flee.
With
God is with you. Ponder the preposition with. Think about God’s abiding presence no matter what you are going through. Following Jesus is less about receiving presents from him and more about his presence with us. He is with you. And God plus you is always a majority in your battles – no matter how large, strong or many your foes may be.
God’s personal presence fights all fear. King David assured us that even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God will be with us (Psalm 23:4). He will protect and comfort us.
As Joshua readied himself to lead the Israelites into the pagan-possessed Promised Land, God told him to take courage and not to be afraid of anything. How could Joshua not be fearful about leading a never-battle-tested group of pilgrims against giants and walled cities?
God told Joshua he didn’t have any reason to know fear: “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). God promised Joshua his personal presence in every battle, every moment.
God proclaimed this same truth in Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).
God promises us his personal presence in our fight against the coronavirus. The knowledge that God is with us every second of every day should produce great joy in our hearts.
Ponder the preposition with in your faith walk. God is with you no matter what you are facing. This reality should cause anxiety to flee.