They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

During their last time with Jesus, before his ascension to heaven, Jesus asks his disciples to stay in Jerusalem to wait for a gift that is promised by his Father; he tells them that while John had baptized people with water, they were soon to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Faithfully, the apostles return to Jerusalem and join several others who were close to Jesus. As they wait for this promise of God, they “joined together constantly” in prayer in the upper room, which is where we meet today’s verse (emphasis added).

If Jesus were about to walk out of the room, the last thing I would want him to tell me would be to wait. I’d worry that, once left alone, I wouldn’t have the strength, wisdom, or discernment to know what to do next. I would want him to stay so that I could know for sure that everything was right. But our passage today focuses on a moment just like that. And instead of needing to know their circumstances were secure, the disciples seem confident of something else far more unshakeable.

‍

Knowledge is not the only thing that wields power, but when someone knows who they are–when someone knows what they stand for–the world moves out of the way. In Exodus 12:12, God says, “I am the Lord.” The power in this statement of identity and authority allows my soul to rest. It allows me to rest in the knowledge that God is truly God.

‍

In Exodus 12:13, God continues and says, “The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” Later, in Isaiah 31:5, it is described this way: “As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and hovering over he will preserve it.”

‍

In these verses, “pass over” in Exodus and “hovering over” in Isaiah are translated from the same Hebrew word, pacach. Scholars suggest that “hovering over” is a more accurate English translation for the Exodus passage, meaning that God did not just skip over his people, but he protected them. He did not simply avoid them and move on–the Lord stayed with them and over them so they could be saved. Our God is a god of love that never leaves.

‍

Perhaps this is the knowledge that kept Jesus’ followers praying with faith through a moment of profound uncertainty. Jesus had left earth, and his followers were left to trust and wait on his promise of the Holy Spirit. But, knowing that our God is a god of love that never leaves, they had the confidence to pray. They knew that they could pray because they knew Jesus never actually left them. They could expect him to move in the way he said would; he is always there to protect us with his hovering affection and grace.

Lord, we thank you that we can trust you. We know that you are who you say you are and that we are safe under your protection and love. Please encourage us to pray amongst others to deepen our knowledge of you. We want to rest in your goodness, a goodness that will always hover over us. With you, we know that nothing can do us harm. Thank you for your faithful guidance and knowing that we are better when we wait for you to move. Amen.