“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

The more we allow ourselves to think about this remarkable truth, the more utterly amazed we should be.  Christ was once with his disciples, as was the Holy Spirit.  Now, by means of the Holy Spirit’s presence, they both dwell within all disciples as part of our new life in Christ. 

“Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us” (1 John 3:24). 

Or, if you prefer it with more pronouns,

“Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us (NKJV).” 

Either way, God is with us and in us, and he has no plans to leave.

He will not leave us as orphans; nor will he leave us at all.  We can count on his comforting, empowering presence right up until that day when we see him face to face.  That day is not so far away. 

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.  The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom 13:11-12). 

The time is short, and as Jesus has said,

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20).