Staying With Jesus When The Crowd Turns Back
When the crowd turns back, keep step with Jesus
Devotional Credit
My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers
Photo Credit
Unsplash
The line that stirred me today comes from Luke 22:28, where Jesus tells His friends that they stood by Him in His trials. Oswald Chambers asks a piercing question, are we still going with Jesus when the road gets tight, or do we quietly drift back with the crowd. He reminds us that many walked away in John 6 when following Jesus no longer matched their expectations. That same pressure shows up in our lives, not only in public moments, but in the hidden places where loyalties are formed.
Chambers presses us to consider whether we have settled for the memory of a great beginning with Jesus, while the living Person is inviting us to keep step with Him right now. The trials of Jesus did not end at Calvary, the life of Jesus continues in His people, and that life still meets resistance in this world. When the Spirit of God keeps us close to Jesus, the pushback often rises, not because we have failed, but because His life in us is real.
Some readers may hear a line like God engineers our circumstances and worry that this makes us puppets. Thank you, Mr. Chambers, for stirring the conversation. Through the lens of the abiding life, we can say it this way, the Lord is actively at work in and through His people, not erasing their agency, but empowering the body of Christ to bear Jesus’ life together. We are not spectators to fate, we are participants in union with Jesus, learning to rely on His indwelling Spirit in whatever comes.
So the question lands gently and firmly, when a season shifts, when a room grows cool toward the name of Jesus, when obedience is costly, do I keep company with Him. Not by white-knuckling religion, but by resting my weight on the One who lives in me. He stood by His disciples, and now He stands up in us.
Journal Entry, Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I am with you, and I am in you. I joined you to Jesus, and you share His life. You began by receiving Him by faith, now walk in Him the same way, drawing on grace you already stand in. I work in you to will and to do what pleases the Father. As you look to Jesus, I steady your steps when the current of the world pushes back.
I remind you that you were crucified with Christ, your old man was dealt with, and you now live by the faithfulness of the Son of God. Consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God, and present yourself to Me for My use. When the desires of the flesh tug, keep in step with Me. I will not fail you.
There will be moments when following Jesus places you outside the camp. I make you willing to bear His reproach with quiet joy. When trials come, do not measure your strength, receive Mine. The honor of Jesus is displayed in your life, not by your effort, but by My power made perfect in weakness.
I teach you to keep your eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and finisher of your faith. I formed Christ in you as the hope of glory, and I keep you in the love of God. Nothing separates you from that love. When you falter, I lead you back to reliance, not regret. When you are slandered, I produce gentleness. When you are pressured, I give endurance. When you are overlooked, I whisper that the Father sees.
So walk on with Me. Follow Jesus in the quiet hallway, in the hard meeting, in the late night. Let Me speak through you with grace and truth. Hold fast to the Head. Remain in the Vine by trusting My indwelling presence. I will bear the fruit.
Real-Life Analogy
Think of driving a car with an automatic transmission. You keep a steady foot on the pedal, and without drama the transmission shifts through the gears as the road changes. You are not yanking the shifter every second, you are resting your weight and letting the car’s design do its work. In the same way, when circumstances change suddenly, the Spirit of Jesus within you adjusts the inner gear for the moment, courage when a conversation turns hostile, patience when plans fall apart, gentleness when someone is sharp. You do not grind through by self-effort, you yield and trust the indwelling Lord to carry the load and express His life.
Try this today. If a co-worker dismisses your faith or a family member pokes at your convictions, pause inside and say, Lord, I trust You to express Your life through me in this exact moment, give me Your tone and Your timing. Then answer with calm clarity, not to win the room, but to walk with Jesus in it.
Prayer of Confidence
Lord, thank You that I am united with You, and that Your Spirit lives in me. Thank You that I began by grace and I stand in grace. Thank You that when the world pushes back, the life of Jesus is steady within. I agree with You that I am dead to sin and alive to God. I am content to step with You today, outside the camp if needed, bearing Your name with joy. You are faithful, and I rest in Your faithfulness.
Scripture references for the Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture section
Luke 22:28; John 6:66; Colossians 2:6 to 7; Romans 5:2; Philippians 2:13; Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6 to 11; Galatians 5:16 to 18; Hebrews 13:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9 to 10; Hebrews 12:2; Colossians 1:27; Jude 21; Romans 8:35 to 39; Ephesians 4:15 to 16; John 15:4 to 5; 1 Peter 4:12 to 14