The LORD With Us

"And Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him."

1 Chronicles 9:20

Isn't this a wonderful testimony of God's grace and faithfulness, that He is with His people who trust Him?  Those who trust and look to Him in faith God rewards with His presence and perfect peace.  Through faith in Jesus Christ we too have this benefit, having been born again and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.  It is awesome to consider we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in Christians because we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus through the Gospel.

Phinehas was a man who was zealous for the glory of God and executed judgment according to God's command.  To him God offered a covenant of peace in Numbers 25:12-13:  "Therefore say, 'Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace; ¹³ and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.'"  God would establish an everlasting priesthood through Jesus Christ, the one who provided atonement by shedding His own blood on Calvary.  Jesus is our peace, and those who regard God's presence will be profoundly impacted by Him in their own character.

God referred to David as a man after God's own heart.  When King Saul was plagued by an unclean spirit, notice what was said of the youthful shepherd in 1 Samuel 16:18:  "Then one of the servants answered and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him."  The LORD was with David, and this was greater than all his other skills combined.  Hands once skillful to play the harp can be stiffened with arthritis, the mightiest of men grow old and lose their courage, the most prudent can become foolish and the greatest beauty fades like a flower.  Because the LORD was with David, he was equipped for every task God called him to perform.  Whether he was tending his father's sheep or ruling God's people, the LORD was with David and upheld him continually.

Jesus assures united believers of His presence in Matthew 18:19-20:  "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."  The context of this passage is often ignored when referred to, as it is sandwiched in a section concerning dealing with offence among members in the body of Christ.  If an offender is not able to be reconciled alone, by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  The prayers of those united with Christ will be answered, and the agreement of the brethren is evidence Jesus is in our midst.  How pleasant it is indeed for brethren to dwell together in unity for we are assured of God's presence.

Hebrews 13:5 provides a directive and promise from the LORD to members of the church:  "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  God will never leave or forsake us, but it is evident we can leave and forsake Him.  On the night Jesus was betrayed all His disciples fled in fear when Jesus held His ground.  How important it is we learn to submit and humble ourselves before God, trusting His presence to guide, protect and provide for our every need.  The one God is with is also the one who obeys the LORD, who draws near to Him in faith, and rests in His goodness and promises.  When we abide in Christ who is our peace, we will experience peace with one another even should offences arise.  We are feeble and faint, but the LORD is faithful.