By Phillip Hines 

After the resurrection of Jesus and just before His ascension, He gave some final words to the 11 apostles. We know these words as “The Great Commission.”  

In Matthew’s account we find Jesus saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).  

Did you notice that beautiful promise at the end? He said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  

What had these disciples done every single day of their lives for the past three years? They had spent them in the presence of Jesus! They walked, talked, listened, learned and slept beside Jesus. They never had to make an appointment to see Him, nor did they have to wait in line to talk to Him. 

What the disciples did for those three years, you and I can do every day for the rest of our lives. Can you think of anything that is greater in life than knowing you can get up every day and be alone with the one who created you?  

You can open His Word and listen to Him speak to you. You can open your mouth and know that He will listen to you speak to Him. Think about it; you are connecting with the God who spoke this universe into existence.  

The Lord’s undivided attention is yours 24/7. Like the disciples, you never have to stand in line. “Can you come back tomorrow?” are words you will never hear from Him. Think about this: You are never put on hold! He is always there.  

Jesus would say to the church at Laodicea, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). 

Fall will be here soon. We all love it when the trees turn with autumn colors. They transform from green and explode into red, orange, yellow and gold. Did you know those colors were in those leaves since their blooming in the spring? You just could not see them. They are hidden by a green photosynthetic pigment called chlorophyll. When the sunlight hours start decreasing, the chlorophyll begins to break down, and the green color disappears, bringing forth the red, orange, yellow and gold.  

The Lord’s presence is the same way. You might not feel Him or sense Him, and as you look at your circumstances, you might not see Him in those circumstances; however, the Lord says, “I’m here. Lo, I am with you always.”  

Can you think of a better way to spend your life than in the presence of the Lord?