✨ Moment of Encounter Devotional ✨

JESUS DIDN'T SAY, "GOODBYE!"

His Ascension Was Not His Absence

By Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida

Scripture Reading

«"...And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." — Matthew 28:20»

There is something profoundly comforting about the final words of Jesus before He ascended into heaven. Ordinarily, when people are about to leave, they say, "Goodbye." A father travelling overseas says goodbye to his family. A friend relocating to another city says goodbye. Even at retirement, farewell speeches are expected. Yet when Jesus was about to return to the Father, He never uttered the word "goodbye." Instead, He made an eternal promise: "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." His ascension was not His departure from the lives of believers; it was the beginning of His abiding presence through the Holy Spirit.

Many Christians unconsciously live as though Jesus has gone to heaven and left them to struggle alone until He returns. The moment life becomes difficult, they begin to ask, "Lord, where are You?" When prayers seem delayed, finances become tight, doors remain closed, or afflictions arise, they assume God has quietly withdrawn. But God's presence is not measured by our emotions or circumstances; it is established by His unchanging Word. Clouds may hide the sun from our sight, but they never remove it from the sky. Likewise, trials may hide God's hand for a season, but they can never remove His presence from the life of His children.

Throughout Scripture, God's greatest assurance to His people was never the absence of trouble but the certainty of His presence. Joseph is a remarkable example. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned, he appeared forgotten by everyone. Yet the Bible repeatedly declares, "The Lord was with Joseph." God's presence did not keep him out of the pit or prison, but it ensured that neither the pit nor the prison could keep him from God's purpose.

Daniel experienced the same reality. Though he was thrown into a den of hungry lions because of his faithfulness to God, heaven had already entered the den before he arrived. The lions lost their appetite because the presence of God was greater than the power of their instinct. Likewise, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were cast into a blazing furnace, but the fire only burned their ropes. King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace expecting to see three men perish, yet he saw four men walking freely, and the Fourth looked like the Son of God. Whenever God's presence enters your trial, your trial loses the power to destroy you.

The same truth shines even brighter in the New Testament. As Stephen was being stoned for preaching Christ, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and looked into heaven. Instead of seeing defeat, he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Heaven was not silent while earth was violent. Christ honoured His faithful servant by revealing His glorious presence in Stephen's final moments.

The Apostle Paul also testified to this abiding presence. During one of the loneliest moments of his ministry, when friends deserted him and no one stood to defend him, he declared, "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me." Human support may fail, but divine companionship never fails. Even in the midst of a violent storm at sea, Paul received assurance from God that His purpose would stand. God's presence became the anchor that kept him calm while others panicked.

The Apostle John discovered the same truth on the lonely island of Patmos. Banished because of his faith, he could have believed that his ministry had ended. Instead, that isolated island became the place where he encountered the glorified Christ and received the revelation that has blessed the Church for generations. What looked like exile became an extraordinary encounter because Jesus keeps His promise to be with His own.

Beloved, perhaps your present season feels like Joseph's prison, Daniel's lions' den, the Hebrew boys' furnace, Stephen's persecution, Paul's courtroom, or John's lonely island. You may not understand why certain things are happening, but you can rest in one unshakable truth: Jesus did not say goodbye. He has not forgotten your name, misplaced your address, or abandoned your destiny. He is with you in the valley as surely as He is with you on the mountaintop. His presence is your greatest security, your greatest strength, and your greatest hope.

Therefore, refuse to judge God's nearness by the intensity of your trials. Judge it by the certainty of His promise. The Christ who walked with His saints in every generation is still walking with His people today. His presence will strengthen you when you are weak, comfort you when you are discouraged, guide you when you are confused, and sustain you until His purpose for your life is fulfilled. The One who ascended into heaven is still Emmanuel; God with us. He never said, "Goodbye," and He never will.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your unfailing promise to remain with me always. Help me to become more conscious of Your presence than of my problems. Strengthen my faith in difficult seasons, remove every fear from my heart, and let Your Holy Spirit continually remind me that I never walk alone. May Your abiding presence guide, protect, and uphold me today and always. In Jesus' mighty Name. Amen.

Prophetic Declaration

I declare over your life today that the abiding presence of God shall never depart from you. The Lord will go before you, stand beside you, and uphold you with His mighty hand. Every storm shall become a testimony, every trial shall produce victory, and every lonely season shall become an opportunity for divine encounter. As God was with Joseph, Daniel, the three Hebrew men, Stephen, Paul, and John, so shall He be with you. You will not be abandoned, you will not be defeated, and you will not walk alone. The Jesus who never said "Goodbye" will remain with you until His perfect purpose for your life is accomplished. In Jesus' mighty Name. Amen.

Your brother

Woli Abiodun Adesida, PhD
CAC IBUDO ONA ABAYỌ cacsolutioncenter@outlook.com
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