God with me...

It is told that Billy Graham said if you are in a crowd yet feel lonely, it is God crooking His finger and saying, ‘Come here.’

I was alone for long stretches as a child. That feeling of being alone and the fear of being abandoned stuck with me until one day I read a book offering what to do about such fears. It said to go in a room by myself, consider the fear, and let it take over, all the while trusting God. At first I felt as if I would die because the fear was so intense. Then the presence of the Lord flooded the room. From that day, this fear is no longer an issue. Jesus defeated it.

The Word of God is filled with many statements and promises that affirm that experience. Before  Jesus was born, God said that the very name of His Son declares it: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:23) In that culture, names were considered as a child’s character, so the very essence of who Jesus is described as the wonder of God Himself being with us!

He is with us when we gather to worship and pray: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Not only that, as I follow Him, He is with me and that will continue into eternity:

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12:26)
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:3)

Jesus even prayed for my presence with Him, that I would see what He is like and that the Father loves Him: “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24)

Later, He affirmed to His apostle Paul that His presence would protect him: “For I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” (Acts 18:10)

This promise has been claimed by many and fulfilled as their lives are threatened. It is also an anchor as I do His will concerning making disciples and teaching them what God has taught me. To that, Jesus adds, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

PRAY: Jesus whether the threats are from the outside, or I am feeling no one cares or understands, or am overwhelmed with tasks or sad news, or anything else, I know that You are with me. Without You, I would easily give in or give up. We are getting ready to move, and at my age fatigue easily discourages me, but Your presence makes such a difference. You are guiding me in ways that ease the physical challenges, and giving me ideas that overcome all uncertainties. That You are with me even in this is so incredible. Your presence makes life not only bearable but possible. I am so thankful, so very thankful.

He is right here with me . . .

An elderly Christian friend once told me that she didn’t pray in the normal sense of having a time of prayer because she considered every word she said, even every thought, was a prayer to God.

At first I thought that she was a bit daft, but today’s devotional reading has me rethinking her idea. The author points out that many people wish they could see God, or at least have a deeper sense of His presence so that “every act of our soul is done before Him and every word spoken in prayer is as really spoken to Him as if our eyes could see Him and our hands could touch Him.”

This brought to mind how Jesus seemed to have a particular focus on giving sight to the blind. This goes back to an OT story of Elisha who faced enemies. He was not fearful but his man servant was terrified.

Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17)

I’ve read similar missionary testimonies where God opened the eyes of His people when they were surrounded by enemies and in grave danger so they could see that they were surrounded by angels. Others tell of their enemies later testifying to seeing armies of soldiers protecting God’s people. God wants His children to know by sight that He is always near.

Perhaps that is one reason the NT has many records of how Jesus opened the eyes of the blind. Yes, they wanted to see physically, yet this suggests to me a vivid illustration of how He also cures spiritual blindness and how He wants His people to know that we are never alone.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, (Luke 4:18)

In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. (Luke 7:21)

Jesus controls both spiritual and physical sight. The disciples exemplify the first as Jesus “opened their eyes and they recognized him” then He “vanished from their sight.” (Luke 24:31)

At Paul’s conversion, he was without sight for three days, then a man laid his hands on him so that he might regain his sight. He said, “ ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized.” (Acts 9:9-18)

Of course the devotional points out that we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) yet all this illustrates that sight is not just physical. Faith is the spiritual ability to ‘see God’ — to realize His presence without seeing it. God was gracious to Elisha’s servant, to Paul, to the disciples, and the same to many of His children. He says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” He is with me always. Faith ‘sees’ the reality of His presence. My eyes see the evidence of His work in creation and in His children.

Not only that, He hears every word I say and knows my thoughts. With that understanding, I can see how my friend could consider her every word and every thought was communication with God. She listened and heard His words and His thoughts also.

PRAY: Jesus, I know Your presence and know how I can “pray without ceasing” yet this is not an excuse or a reason to drop formal or usual times of prayer. However, it is a reason to guard my heart and my words, a reason to be aware of what is going on in my life. You know it anyway and I’m so glad that no matter where I go or what I do, You are right beside me, listening and telling me what I need to know as I share my ideas and burdens with You.

 

Leaping like a calf?

Yesterday was not the best day of life. I had a loose cough and no energy at all, laying in on the sofa and feeling sorry for myself. Didn’t even go online but God gave me encouragement anyway. My hubby went to church and I planned to watch the service alive on YouTube. There was nearly an hour of wait time so I selected a Christian music video that posted Scripture. All the verses were about God’s power and promises to heal His people. I soon noticed that I didn’t feel as if I were dying!

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. (Malachi 4:2)

I’m not yet leaping -- hopefully soon.