I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
—Psalm 118:5-6 (KJV)
The beginning of the year is a trying time for people I care about. Maybe it's been that way for you or those you love. My prayer for you, and for them, is that they may know the comfort of God's presence. Whether it's the popular little poem "Footprints in the Sand" or the familiar "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me..." (Psalm 23:4 KJV). The presence of the LORD is absolutely vital to us if we are going to stand up for him and stand firm in the face of trial. The LORD does long to be with us, especially in those moments when we feel most alone and abandoned. He told us that by experiencing anguish himself and being alone on the cross. You can lean in, call upon, and have your hope in Jesus because he has been in the places you were hurting and came through to give us a way to God's steadfast presence.
I am thankful, O God, that you refused to be God from a safe distance. Because you came and felt what it was like to be abandoned, forsaken, and alone in Jesus, I know I can trust that you will never forsake me. Please give me a clearer sense of your presence with me in my life today, however, because I need to feel you close to me in these trying times. I pray through Jesus, and because of his assurance. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
—Psalm 118:5-6 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
The beginning of the year is a trying time for people I care about. Maybe it's been that way for you or those you love. My prayer for you, and for them, is that they may know the comfort of God's presence. Whether it's the popular little poem "Footprints in the Sand" or the familiar "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me..." (Psalm 23:4 KJV). The presence of the LORD is absolutely vital to us if we are going to stand up for him and stand firm in the face of trial. The LORD does long to be with us, especially in those moments when we feel most alone and abandoned. He told us that by experiencing anguish himself and being alone on the cross. You can lean in, call upon, and have your hope in Jesus because he has been in the places you were hurting and came through to give us a way to God's steadfast presence.
My Prayer...
I am thankful, O God, that you refused to be God from a safe distance. Because you came and felt what it was like to be abandoned, forsaken, and alone in Jesus, I know I can trust that you will never forsake me. Please give me a clearer sense of your presence with me in my life today, however, because I need to feel you close to me in these trying times. I pray through Jesus, and because of his assurance. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
