I Will Be With You

TEXT: Exodus 3:10-12; Joshua 3:7; Judges 6:14-16

Moses was on a quiet mountainside. Suddenly a bush crackled into flame, but it did not burn up! He was amazed when God spoke to him from the bush, "Go to Pharaoh and tell him to let My people go. I will be with you."

Pharaoh was the most important man in the whole country. Why should he listen to Moses? But Moses did as God said. What would you have done?

The Jordan River was in front of Joshua. God wanted him to lead His people, the Children of Israel, to the other side of the river. Only when they had crossed the river could they conquer the walled city of Jericho. God reminded Joshua that He had been with Moses, and He said, "I will be with you also."

The waters looked deep and wide. But Joshua did as God said. What would you have done?

God told a man named Gideon to lead the army of Israel into battle with just 300 men. They were to fight against a great army of 135,000! God said, "Go and save Israel. I will be with you."

Why would God want them to fight with so few men in their army? Gideon did not understand, but he did as God said. What would you have done?

Do you know why Moses, Joshua, and Gideon obeyed God? They obeyed because God made a promise to each of them. He said, "I will be with you." They had faith in God's words. They knew God would keep His promise.

God was with Moses, and he led the people out of Egypt.

God was with Joshua, and the waters of Jordan parted.

God was with Gideon, and his few men won the battle against the large army.

God has something for each of us to do. And no matter what it is or how difficult it looks, He promises to be with us.

Do you believe that God keeps His promises? Will you obey Him? What will you do?

PARENT'S CORNER

Most children are subject to fears, among these the fear of separation or of being alone. It will be a real source of reassurance and comfort to your child to realize that God has promised to be with us. This lesson is about how God was with several notable characters of the Bible, and your child will learn that God will be with him also.

To illustrate that God is with us, even though we can't see Him, write your child an invisible message on a card. Use a clean pin or toothpick to write your message with lemon or grapefruit juice. Dip the pin in the juice after every three or four letters. Use matte (not shiny) paper so the juice soaks in and disappears.

To make the juice visible, help your child press the paper with a warm iron or move it around close to an electric light bulb. Heat makes the message appear. Point out that the words were there, even when your child couldn't see them, and in the same way, God is with us even when we can't see Him with our physical eyes.