Will Jesus Go With You? by Francis M. Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 14, 1915

Will Jesus Go With You?

By Francis M. Wilcox

IT is our privilege to enjoy constant companionship with Jesus. He has promised to be with his disciples “whithersoever” they go, “even unto the end of the world.” Joshua 1:9; Matt. 28:20. These promises, of course, are on the condition that we walk in his ways; for “can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3.

In determining where we shall go and what we shall do in the year now before us, it is well for us to submit each perplexing question to the test, Will Jesus go with me? That he will accompany me to the house of prayer and praise there can be no doubt. That he will be my companion in visiting the sick and needy in their distress I need not question. In all that makes for the upbuilding of my spiritual life or for the salvation of others I may know that I shall have his Spirit’s aid. But there will be more perplexing questions to settle,—questions when inclination and natural impulse will hold parley with conscience. Our consciences will incline to the safer side, but the persuasions of the human heart will confuse the mind and deaden the sense of keen discrimination and discernment.

At such times it is well to submit the question to the test, Is this a place to which I can confidently ask Jesus to accompany me? Will he go with me to the exciting worldly sport, to the idle party of pleasure? After the occasion has passed, can I enjoy the same communion with him? Will prayer have lost its relish, the study of the Word its interest?

Too many, like Peter, are following their Lord afar off. They are seeking this world and its pleasures, and, at the same time, reaching out after the world to come. They cannot have both. “Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.” In half-hearted service for Jesus there is little joy. Because of this half-hearted service many Christians are joyless and spiritless. They long for something they do not possess, for a pleasure they do not experience, and to satisfy this craving seek the pleasures of the world. Such need to learn the joy of a life fully surrendered to God’s service, the joy of a communion with the Master deeper and sweeter and more satisfying than any human companionship.

The service of the Lord is not a hard service. It may bring to us trial, sorrow, pain, anxiety; but with the trial will come sustaining grace, with the sorrow comforting solace, with the pain strength to endure. Like Paul and Silas, we shall have songs in the night of our sorrow, and rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer for the One we love.

Love for our work or love for the one for whom we work transforms daily toil from servitude into willing service, and makes of us not slaves but freemen. Many men go forth daily to wearing, grinding toil; but love for wife, for children, for home, lightens the labor, and puts within the heart cheer and inspiration. Love for Christ will bring richer and deeper joy in service. For this joy of service let us seek. It will come through prayer, through surrender and consecration. It is for every disciple now and throughout eternity.

F. M. W.