I will be with you

Towards the end of his life, David Livingstone was brought back to his native Scotland to be honored by his countrymen and the University of Glasgow in particular. There was absolute silence as Livingstone told of his experiences in Africa, his left arm hanging limp at his side, the result of being mauled by a lion. He spoke of being felled by fever 30 times. He told of the various hardships he had gladly endured for the cause of Christ.

Quoting the missionary-explorer, “But I return without misgivings and with great gladness. For would you like me to tell you what supported me through all the years of exile among people whose language I could not understand, and whose attitude towards me was always uncertain and often hostile? It was this: ‘Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world!’ On those words I staked everything and they never failed me! It is the word of a gentleman of the most strict and sacred honor, so there’s an end to it.”

Following his time in Glasgow, he returned to his beloved Africa where, kneeling in prayer, he died.

Are the words of Jesus that comforted and strengthened Livingstone just as applicable to life today? Another New Testament book, Hebrews 13, reasserts the promise of Jesus, saying, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). And the text means, “Not even for a moment.” So you can believe the promise that meant so much to David Livingstone.

Never forget that this promise was made to His children, to those who know Him as Lord and Savior. It’s the special bond that exists between the one who gave His life to redeem us and His own children, adopted into the family of God. That promise has your name on it. Don’t forget it.

Used with permission from Guidelines International Ministries. To learn more about Guidelines and the ministry, send an e-mail to [email protected]. You may also visit www.guidelines.org.