“Go and make disciples of all nations… And surely I am with you” – Matthew 28:19-20

One summer, I was sitting on my back deck talking with a pastor I really respect. He admired my drive to accomplish things for Jesus, but then he said something that stopped me: “For me, it’s more about being than doing.”

That comment stuck with me. And honestly, it left me feeling like a second-class Christian. Conversations like that seem to happen a lot. It’s like the high-water mark of our faith is to just sit with Jesus in total intimacy—to simply be with Him. Sometimes, I almost believe that’s the goal.

But then I look at the Bible, and I see something different. Over and over, being with God is placed in the context of doing something: establishing His reign, fulfilling His promises, or advancing His purposes on earth.

For example, here’s every instance I could find in the Old Testament where God tells someone, “I am with you,” along with the context.

• “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants” – Gen 26:24
  • The locals were telling Isaac to move away (v16), and God was giving him room in the land (v22).

• “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
  • God promising Jacob the land

• And God said, “I will be with you.” – Ex 3:12
  • Moses was to take the Israelites out of Egypt (v11) into the promised land (v8)

• “You must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you” – Dt 31:7-8
  • Moses encouraging Joshua to take possession of the land (v3)

• “I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.” – Joshua 1:5-6
  • God promising Joshua the land

• “I am with you as I was with Moses” – Joshua 3:7
  • God tells Joshua he will drive nations out of the promised land (v10)

• “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites” – Judges 6:16
  • God encouraging Gideon by telling him he drove out the nations and gave them the land (v9)

• “So do not fear, for I am with you” – Isaiah 41:10
  • God hands over nations and subdues kings (v2)

• “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.” – Isaiah 43:5
  • God brings his people together from the ends of the earth (v6)

• “They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. – Jer 1:19
  • God appoints Jeremiah over nations and kingdoms (v10)

• “They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you” – Jer 15:20
  • God encouraging Jeremiah to restore Israel to God’s reign

• “I am with you and will save you,” declares the LORD. – Jer 30:11
  • God’s promise to return the Israelites from exile (v10)

• “Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear. Do not be afraid of him, declares the LORD, for I am with you” – Jer 42:11
  • God tells Israel to stay in the land (v10)

• “I am with you,” declares the LORD – Jer 46:28
  • God will save Israel from the land of exile (v27)

• “I am with you,” declares the LORD – Hag 1:13
  • The Israelites returned to the land and started building the temple (v14)

• “Be strong, all you people of the land,” declares the LORD, “and work. For I am with you” – Hag 2:4
  • God’s about to shake the nations (v6)

Whenever God says, “I am with you,” it’s in the context of fulfilling His purpose. I couldn’t find where God says, “I am with you” to someone who’s just spending time being alone with Him. That’s not to say intimacy with God isn’t important, of course it is. But in the Bible, God’s presence seems tied to His mission. He is with us as we go out to establish His reign on earth.