In the summer between my junior and senior year of high school, my family and I moved to Cornwall, England. My father was stationed at a Royal Air Force base near the little town of Newquay. A few months after we arrived, my dad came home with the news that the Queen was coming to the base for a visit!

In anticipation of her visit, all the American kids (my brother and I) had to go to “curtsey and bowing” school. And then the big day arrived. My dad was in his dress uniform, my mom in her best outfit, and my brother and I were cleaned up real good!

We arrived at the officer’s club and started to make our way through the facility to join in on the receiving line out back. But I got stopped. For some reason, I must not have looked like I belonged. A British soldier (well armed) blocked my path. My frustration was mixed with some fear and a bit of consternation. And then I spoke.

Pointing to my dad (regaled with all his medals); I declared, “I’m with him!” And immediately they let me in. (And if I say so myself, my curtsey a few minutes later wasn’t half bad!)

A similar incident happened once when I was invited to a big deal at the NATO headquarters in Brussels and found myself suddenly stopped at the door. I used the same phrase to gain admittance. I pointed to the General whose daughter was my friend and declared, “I’m with him!”

Those three little words carry a great deal of power and persuasion. And they certainly have immense theological implications as well. Imagine some literally gates to heaven. You pause to have a dialogue with the guard who resists letting you in. Rather than try to persuade him on the merits of your own spiritual pedigree, you simply point to Christ and say, “I’m with Him.”

But for me, there is an even more powerful image recorded in the book of Romans (8:34). In the middle of the “more than conquerers” section, Paul reminds each believer that Christ is at the right hand of the Father “interceding for us.” In the midst of the throne room, with the Accuser (Rev. 12:10) screaming about my sinful choices, my Savior stands and intercedes on my behalf.

Satan is not only committed to the destruction of our souls, he wants to destroy our lives as well. And as he tries to deny us our safe haven in the presence of God the Father, we get to point to our Redeemer and shout out, “I’m with Him!”

This week might be a great time to ruminate a bit on that whole scene. Let’s consider Hebrews 10:10 and remember that “we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all!” Every blessing we enjoy now or will have then is because of Him.

So, let’s get to practicing that phrase this week…”I’m with Him!”

By His Grace and for His Glory,
Sherry L. Worel