Photo credit: Wong Hock Weng John
Some close relatives of mine are in a difficult situation. They are looking at the choices in front of them and desperately wanting to check the box that says, “none of the above.” I was going to pray for God to be with them. But then, as I thought about it…
God has already promised to be with His people. When the people who are on my heart belong to Him, instead of praying that God will be with them, I can give thanks that He IS with them. Isn’t that the prayer of a faith-full heart? And I will pray for their increased awareness of His presence. I know full well that when we’re in a life storm, stressed and hurting, our minds may spin so fast there’s little bandwidth left for the Spirit to get through. So I pray for peace, wisdom, clarity and the eyes of faith. And I thank God for the comfort of His loving Presence.
But now, this is what the LORD says—he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”(Isaiah 43:1-2a)
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matt. 28:20b (This is the very last sentence in the book of Matthew.)
Further comfort can be found in King David’s beautiful expressions of trust in God’s presence. See Psalm 139:7-10 and Psalm 23:4.
