By Cassidy Estevez
A few years ago, I lived out the Life.Church worship song, With Us.
I was a senior in college studying to get my Bachelor’s in music. That year, I felt totally helpless. I got sick a total of 32 separate times, and doctors couldn’t figure out why. I fell behind in my classes and many weekends I wasn’t able to do what I loved, lead worship. I was nearly a thousand miles away from my family, and my friends and I began to drift apart because I was unable to go out. During the days in between illnesses, I could barely muster enough energy to just stay awake until sunset, let alone sing. I felt like a failure, alone and overwhelmed; like I was drowning in my own life, and I couldn’t do anything about it.
But even at my lowest, I was never alone. Two Bible verses kept coming to my mind:
“I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said to you: You are My servant; I have chosen you and not rejected you. 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 41:9-10 HCSB
“Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 HCSB
God promised to be with us, even–perhaps especially–in the face of adversity. There was not a moment that He left me alone in that season of darkness. I held tight to Him when I had no one and nothing else to cling to, and He sustained me through everything. Even as I continued to face physical illness, His faithfulness and the peace of His presence gave me strength enough to continue on. God was with me when I was sick, and He’s with me now that I’m well.
A couple of years ago, Life.Church Worship (which I am now honored to be a part of) released a Christmas EP entitled With Us. The title track talks about the gift of God’s presence with us, not only in the physical form of Jesus Christ, but in His promise repeated over and over throughout the Bible never to leave us or forsake us, not even for a moment. God is with us:
You are with us
You are with us
In every moment
You are with us
This is a truth we can cling to when we face uncertainty, loneliness and pain. God is near. The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 HCSB
My personal favorite part of this song reminds me of Paul’s words, … in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
When we don’t understand,
We know You’re working for our good
For our good
We’re trusting in Your plan
Your purpose always wins
You are with us
You are with us
And also Peter’s words, In this you greatly rejoice, even though now, if for a little while, you have had to suffer various trials, in order that the genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tried by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ … 1 Peter 1:6-7 MEV
God is with us, in every single moment. He is working for our good.
You can trust Him. And you’ll love to sing With Us.
