June 21, 2024

When Hope Is Walking Right Beside You
SHARON JAYNES

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“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NLT)

The phone rang. It was my ninth-grade son calling in the middle of the day … never a good sign. “Mom, I’m in the principal’s office. You need to come to school.”

I drove to school and found him in the office, but he seemed more like a stranger wearing my son’s clothes. He faced a week of in-school suspension. It wasn’t a good week in the Jaynes household.

I expected my son to follow the rules. I never expected to get a call from the principal’s office.

As moms, wives or friends, we’re going to face some unanticipated difficulties. We’ll experience disappointment, disillusionment and discouragement when what we expect and what we experience don’t line up. During those times, we might even wonder, God, where are You? Now would be a good time for a miracle.

Two of Jesus’ friends likely felt the same way. They were walking to Emmaus, forlorn and forsaken, after Jesus was arrested and crucified a few days before. They had pinned all their hopes and dreams on the Messiah, and now He was gone.

As they walked and talked, another man joined them. He asked what they were talking about.

“You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days,” one disciple answered (Luke 24:18, NLT). Then they gave a detailed account of Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion and disappearance from the tomb.

When they reached their destination, they invited the stranger to join them for dinner. At the table, the man assumed the role of host, giving thanks for the bead, breaking it, and passing it to them.

At that point, God revealed who this stranger was: Jesus Himself! Perhaps what opened their eyes to His identity were His nail-scarred hands that held the bread. Regardless, the Bible says “their eyes were opened, and they recognized him” (Luke 24:31a, NLT).

Jesus had been walking with the men all along, but they didn’t recognize Him. Perhaps you’ve traveled down your own dusty road to Emmaus, with circumstances leaving you disillusioned, disappointed and discouraged. If so, remember that just because we can’t see Jesus or sense His presence doesn’t mean He’s not there. “And be sure of this,” He promises, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b).

Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us, “The LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed” (NKJV).

God gave His word. Jesus gave His life. Just as surely as He was walking right beside His friends on their journey, He’s walking right beside us on ours.

Jesus, thank You for walking beside me on my own dusty trail of disappointment. Just as You promise in John 14:20, I am in You, and You are in me. I’m so thankful there’s nowhere I can go that is away from Your presence. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

We have a new favorite thing at P31! Sharon Jaynes’ new, 90-day devotional, Momma Moments with God, releases on July 2, 2024. In this beautiful book, Sharon shares highly relatable stories — momma moments — from her own life and provides helpful Bible verses, prayers, reflection questions and journaling pages. Every day invites you to pause and focus on a parenting theme such as relying on God, receiving and offering grace, and having courage to move into a new season. We’re taking preorders now!

And when you preorder by July 2, you’ll receive fun bonuses including the audio version of the book. Submit your order information here after purchasing the book!

ENGAGE

Click here to visit Sharon’s website for more free biblical resources.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Hebrews 13:5, “… be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you’” (NLT).

What do you think happened to the men’s disappointment when they realized Jesus had been walking right beside them on the road to Emmaus?

How would the realization that Jesus is always walking with you change your reaction to discouragement and disappointment? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!

© 2024 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org