FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST ARE NEVER ALONE!

BIBLE PASSAGE:
So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
(Zechariah 4:6)

MEDITATION:
After the crucifixion the beleaguered disciples were in despair and said, 
“The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, 
and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going 
to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.” 
(Luke 24:20-21) 

There was anguish, despair, and tragedy in their midst. 
Life had lost its meaning and purpose. 
But when the resurrection became apparent, life took on a new meaning. 
They had a purpose and reason for living, 
even though the Lord was no longer physically present with them.

Jesus promised His disciples they would never be alone because 
after His resurrection, His Spirit would be with them.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate 
to help you and be with you forever. (John 14:16)

The Holy Spirit would teach them 
how to live without the Lord physically with them.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in 
my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything 
I have said to you. (John 14:26)

David Livingstone (a British physician and a pioneer missionary)
once addressed a group of students at Glasgow University. 
When he rose to speak, his body bore the marks of his African struggles. 
Several illnesses on nearly 30 occasions had left him skinny and tired
(he later died of malaria). 

His left arm, crushed by a lion, hung limp by his side. 
After describing his trials and tribulations he said, 
“Would you like to have me tell you what supported me through all the 
years of exile among people whose language I could not understand, 
and whose attitude toward me was always uncertain and often hostile? 
It was this, ‘Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ 
On these words I staked everything, and they never failed.”

ACTION:
Satan would love to convince us, 
that if we live as followers of Christ then we will have a lonely life.
The scriptures clearly tell us that he is a liar.
Just as Jesus promised the disciples that His Spirit would be with them,
he makes the same promise to all of us who profess our faith in Him.

And, just as the disciples were busy about serving Him, we should also 
be diligently serving Him in whatever capacity He has chosen for us. 
Serving the Lord gives us new purpose and meaning for living.
It is exciting to witness firsthand 
how the Holy Spirit helps and encourages us.

However, if we are sitting on our hands and doing nothing for the kingdom,
then we cannot expect to experience the power of His Spirit in our life.
Some wonder how they can serve Him.
A good starting point is to be obedient to His commands.

For instance, don't rob from God but bring Him His tithes, so you will 
be able to tell others how you trusted Him, and He did not let you down.
Rather than thinking that you will have to give up a tenth of what you have,
think about how He has given you 100% of all you have, and how He is okay 
with you keeping 90% of what He has given you.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise of the availability of 
the Holy Spirit to those who are true followers of You. Thank You for 
fulfilling that promise to the disciples of old, and to me today. Help me 
to follow the example of the disciples and serve You so that I can 
experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. Thank You that 
I am never alone whenever I am serving You. Thank You for loving 
me enough to give me everything I need for serving You.”

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