The Bible tells us that wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there's freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). Whenever God is present, people are liberated from their bondages and are set free from captivity, so that they can live free lives to the glory of God.
The Bible also says that where God's presence is, there is fullness of joy. This is recorded in Psalm 16:11 which says,
"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Where God's presence is, there's joy. Wherever God is, there's a freedom and a peace that results in satisfaction and joy. This is so true.
There are some, however, who think that since God's presence brings much joy, the sadness they feel means that God is absent and has abandoned them.
Is this true? Does the sadness that we feel mean that God is now with us?
God's presence in our sadness
Many Christians sadly give in to the lie that since there's joy in the presence of God, God is only present when there's joy or happiness abounding. In other words, happiness or times of fun and joy are signs of God's presence.
But when there's sadness, God isn't there. At least that's what some of us believe.
That's a big, fat lie.
Many of us who have fallen prey to such a lie believe that God isn't there in our sadness, that He has abandoned us to be alone to face our loneliness, or that He wants us to be sad and has thus left us alone.
That is so wrong.
The Bible tells us that God does not break His promises (Numbers 23:19), and one of His promises is to be with us all the time:
"...For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."" (see Hebrews 13:5)
This is not the only time we read God's Word with this promise:
In Matthew 28:18-20, we read Jesus ending His command with these words:
"...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
In Psalm 23, we read David professing his faith that God will never abandon him, saying,
"though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me..."
In Isaiah 41:10 He Himself promised His people,
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
He is always with us
God is so intent on keeping His promise to never leave us that He actually did something very amazing:
"By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." (1 John 4:13)
"Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16)
By these verses, we understand that God gave us His Holy Spirit. His indwelling presence assures us that no matter what we feel or what we are going through, He is here and we can hope in Him.
