“And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” – Matt. 28:20

Little Annie woke up in the middle of the night, screaming on top of her voice. The room was dark, and she felt lonely and afraid.

“It’s alright.” Mommy is here.”

Relieved, little Annie threw her arms around her mother, “Don’t leave me, mommy. They will kill me.”

“I will not leave you, so don’t be afraid. Mommy is here to protect you.” She rocked Annie in her arms until she fell asleep. As she turned to leave, Annie said:

“Don’t leave me, Mommy. They will come back.”

So, Mommy sat in a chair across from Annie’s bed.

“I am not leaving you, my dear. See, Mommy is sitting here, and will be here all the time. They cannot get you. So, go to sleep, my darling.”

The little eyes opened into the reassuring face of mommy sitting in the chair, and a broad smile broke in Annie’s face.

“Thank you, Mommy”, and with that, she drifted into a comfortable slumber.

            The power of the presence of a mother with a child! How amazing! It gives the child security and comfort, and allows the child to live without fear. We all need that kind of presence in our lives, and our Father in heaven provides that.

God is aware of the snares and dangers of this broken world and the powerful attraction of its glitter. He knows the intensity of the battle that rages between His children and the ferocious enemy who constantly haunts us and seeks to destroy us. Our Father in heaven knows the wickedness of sinful humanity and the constant threat of the seductiveness of the flesh. He knows that we are weak against these forces, and that we cannot stand against them on our own. That’s why Jesus assured His disciples of His Presence with them “always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

The Great Commission is a command as well as a powerful assurance of Christ with His faithful witnesses (19). Jesus was leaving them, and fear showed in their faces. How would they fare without Him? How could they carry the Good News to the whole world? Who would believe them? Knowing their sorrow and fears, Jesus assured them of His ever-presence. What comfort and security it may have brought to them!

In the same way, many of us are afraid to share our faith. We are fearful of what they will say and how they will react to the Good News. Our fears are real, for our enemy is ever threatening. We are always reminded of our weaknesses, and our doubts haunt us all the time. But, the same assurance of His Presence is our comfort, strength and hope. Our confidence is in the power that comes by the presence of the Holy Spirit in us (Acts 1:8) and the authority Christ has given us “over all the power of the enemy” (Lk. 10:19).

So, don’t be afraid. You will not fail, for He is with you always to back you up with His power. Just share the Good News and leave the results to Him.