The God who stands with us

The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage! (Acts 23:11)

Those words struck me this morning.

“The Lord stood by him.”

No matter what we go through, whether we see him or not, God stands by us. And he whispers to us, “Have courage. I am with you.”

It reminds me of two other passages.

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, though verses 11-14 continue the thought.)

And David’s words in Psalm 16.

I will bless the Lord who counsels me— even at night when my thoughts trouble me.

I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:7-8)

So take some time and think on this truth today: “The Lord stands by me.”