God is with you

God with you means God is a friend or companion who goes wherever you go (Josh. 1:9) and helps in everything you do (Gen. 21:22; 39:3). He is present to help (2 Chron. 32:8) at all times. This is, of course, anthropomorphic—stated in human terms since God is omnipresent. The unhappy alternative is…if God is not with you, you're on your own (Num. 14:43; Josh. 7:12; 1 Sam. 18:12; 1 Kings 8:57; cf. Judg. 6:13; Jer. 8:8). "May the Lord be with you" was a popular greeting like "May the Lord bless you" (Ruth 2:4). Compare Paul's "Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen." (Rom. 15:33). The expression "the hand (=omnipotence) of the Lord was with him/them" occurs twice (Luke 1:66; Acts 11:21).

1. God is with men, women (Luke 1:28), teenagers (1 Sam. 3:19; 16:18), and even babies (Luke 1:66).

2. God's being with you depends on obedience (Gen. 26:2–3).

	a. "the Lord is with you when you are with Him" (2 Chron. 15:2).

	b. God told Jeroboam "if you listen to all that I command you and walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight by observing My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build you an enduring house as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you" (1 Kings 11:38).

	c. Amos told the people of Israel "Seek good and not evil, that you may live; And thus may the Lord God of hosts be with you, Just as you have said!" (Amos 5:14).

3. God's being with you is the basis of blessings (Gen. 26:3).

	a. kindness (Gen. 39:21).

	b. favor, gifts, privileges (Luke 1:28).

	c. greatness (piel of gadal "make great, powerful") (2 Chron. 1:1).

	d. a dynasty for Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:38).

	e. deliverance from all afflictions (Acts 7:9–10).

	f. protection of Israel from dangers (Isa. 43:2).

	g. protection from persecutors (1 Sam. 20:13; Jer. 20:11).

	h. protection and provision of food and clothing (Gen. 28:20; 31:3).

4. God's being with you is the basis of success (Gen. 39:2; 1 Sam. 18:14; 2 Kings 18:7).

	a. success in your job or career—favor with people, proficiency, promotions (Gen. 39:2–6, 21–23; Acts 7:9–10).

	b. success in battle (Josh. 1:5–7a, 9; Judg. 6:12, 16; 2 Chron. 20:17; 32:8; cf. Num. 14:9; Judg. 1:22; 1 Sam. 17:37; 2 Chron. 13:12; Isa. 8:10).

	c. promise of help to accomplish a mission—to deliver Israel from Egypt (Exod. 3:12) and lead the sons of Israel into the promised land (Deut. 31:23).

	d. successful project or undertaking—completion of the Temple (1 Chron. 22:11, 16; 28:20).

	e. success as a prophet (1 Sam. 3:19–20).

	f. success in reviving Christians (Acts 11:21).

5. God's being with you is noticed by others and brings you respect (Gen. 21:22–23; Isa. 45:14), authority (Josh. 3:7), popularity (2 Chron. 15:9; Zech. 8:23), and promotions (Gen. 39:3–4). But it also brings fear (1 Sam 18:12–13; cf. 18:15).

6. In times of trouble God promises to be with those who trust in Him (Psa. 91:15).

7. God's presence with you gives courage and boldness in battle (Num. 14:9; Josh. 1:5–7a, 9), confidence to carry out dangerous missions for God (Exod. 3:11–12), and wisdom to evaluate advice (comp. Exod. 18:19 with 18:23) and discern between good and evil (2 Sam. 14:17). The people wanted God to be with their leaders (Josh. 1:17).

8. God was with Jesus to help him perform miracles (John 3:2; 8:29; Acts 10:38).

9. God the Father was with Jesus to help him endure the suffering of the cross (John 16:32).

10. He was with Ishmael (Gen. 21:20), Isaac (Gen. 26:3), Jacob (Gen. 28:20; 31:3; 48:21), Joseph (Gen. 39:2–3, 21–23; Acts 7:9–10), Moses (Exod. 3:12; Josh. 1:5), Joshua (Deut. 31:8, 23; Josh. 1:5, 9; 3:7), Gideon (Judg. 6:12, 16), Saul (1 Sam. 10:7; 20:13), David (1 Sam 16:18; 18:14; 2 Sam. 7:3=1 Chron. 17:2), Solomon (1 Chron. 28:20; 2 Chron. 1:1), Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:3–7), Jeremiah (Jer. 20:11), Phinehas the son of Eleazar (1 Chron. 9:20), the house of Joseph (Judg. 1:22), Jews (Zech. 8:23), the nation Israel (Num. 14:9; 23:21; Judg. 6:13; 1 Kings 8:57; 2 Chron. 13:12; 20:17; 32:8; Psa. 46:7, 11; Isa. 8:10; 43:2), John the Baptist (Luke 1:66); Mary, (Luke 1:28), Jesus (John 3:2; 8:29; Acts 10:38), the disciples (John 14:16–17).

11. The Holy Spirit was with Old Testament saints but is in Church Age saints (John 14:16–17; cf. 1 Sam. 10:6–7; Acts 10:38).