This promise was first given to Moses and was renewed to Joshua when he took over the leadership of the children of Israel. It is repeated in various ways and forms throughout the Scriptures. It is the essence of what Paul writes in Romans 8:31 when he says: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" The writer to the Hebrews quotes it in Hebrews13:5. It is the promise that Jesus gave to His disciples before He ascended back into heaven in Matthew 28:20: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” God promises to be with us at all times and in every situation.
We know that God is faithful and He keeps all His promises. So how does He keep this one? He does so in numerous ways! He does so through His Word, as we read His promises in Scripture and hear of His faithfulness to the saints down through the ages. God does so through answered prayer, as He faithfully hears and answers our petitions. He does so through the ministry of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us to comfort and to guide us. God keeps the promise of His presence with us through His holy angels who are ministering spirits sent to serve those who are being saved. God manifest His presence with us through His faithful servants who declare His Word and administer the Sacraments, just as He has done for His people through the prophets and apostles in the past.
I could go on and on about how God is faithful to never leave us or forsake us, but since becoming a caregiver for my wife Diana as she is battling Stage IV Lung Cancer, I have become acutely aware of how important it is for us to exercise the ministry of presence on behalf of those we love, so that God may use us to fulfill His promise never to leave us or forsake us.
There are many aspects to the role of caregiver. Certainly there are the things that I do for Diana directly, like helping her with her personal care, managing her medications and making sure that she takes them all as he should. Part of caregiving is getting her to all of her doctor appointments, treatments and procedures. Another aspect of it involves all of the household tasks that Diana used to do for our family that I have taken over like cooking, cleaning and laundry. There are also the errands that I run outside the home that Diana used to take care of herself, like a trip to the drug store.
While all of these aspects of caregiving are important, I am convinced after more than a year in this role that they pale in comparison to the importance of the ministry of presence. What do I mean by the ministry of presence? I mean simply being with Diana whenever she needs me. There have been many occasions over the past year when Diana has asked me to remain home with her because she didn't feel well. It's hard to be alone when you are sick. You want someone to be there with you when you are suffering. Many times Diana has asked me to stay with her in the bedroom just to be by her side. Frequently we will linger at the table after a meal just to look at each other and rejoice in the company of being together. The ministry of presence also involves the hugs that I give her, the touch on the cheek, the squeeze of the hand, or sliding my fingers through her hair just to let her know that I love her. Rarely is it necessary to speak when exercising the ministry of presence. Just being there is enough. But it is crucially important.
Frequently, when I am just being there for Diana I sense the ministry of God's Holy Spirit speaking to my spirit. It is His assurance that in being there for Diana I am being used by my Lord to fulfill His promise, "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you." It is a wonderful feeling to know that you can serve the Lord in such a simple way, just by being there for someone you love when they need you.
Sometimes people are afraid to visit a friend or loved one who has a terminal illness. "What will I say? What can I say?" The truth is, you don't need to say anything at all. Just being there will bless your loved one in countless ways. It will be a manifestation of the presence of God in that person's life. You will become Jesus "with skin on." You will be His hands and His feet, and yes, maybe even His voice. When you get a chance to exercise the ministry of presence for someone you love, don't pass it up. You will be used by God to faithfully fulfill His Word, "I will never leave you or forsake you."
