Resting in the Here-ness and Near-ness of God - Girlfriends in God - May 2, 2016

May 2, 2016
Resting in the Here-ness and Near-ness of God
Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38–39).

Friend to Friend

Have you ever been in a situation when you felt God calling your name to a particular task, and at the same time you felt that He had the wrong person for the job? That’ exactly how Moses felt when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. He cried out, “Who am I that I should go to the Pharaoh?”

I’ve been there. I wonder if you have too. I’ve thought, God, You’ve got to be kidding? Me? You’ve got the wrong girl for the job! I’m a nobody!

But look at how God answered Moses.

And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain” (Exodus 3:12).

It was almost as if He ignored the question on the table and told Moses what he really needed to know. “I will be with you.” In other words, “Don’t worry about whoyou are. Concentrate on Who I AM. I’ll be with you. I’ve got this. You just hang on tight.”

Isn’t it a comfort to know that God is always with you? Always! David wrote:

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there

If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

If I settle on the far side of the sea,

Even there your hand will guide me.

Your right hand will hold me fast (Ps. 139:7–10).

Paul wrote:

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God’s words to the Israelites also apply to you and me: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Heb. 13:5; Deut. 31:6, 8; Josh. 1:5).

God’s presence envelops us as we live and move and have our being in Him. So many times we glibly suggest or imploringly beg for God to be with us as if we have to coax Him out of hiding. David debunks that idea. There is no place we can go that is away from God’s presence. Most Christian would say they believe this truth, but then live like they don’t.

One day I was praying for my son, a prayer that had almost become as rote as “God is great. God is good.” “God, please be with Steven today,” I whispered.

Just as abruptly as a referee’s whistle calling foul, God stopped me mid-sentence. Why do you pray that every day? He seemed to say. I AM with Steven. I’m with him every day. Why do you ask for something he already has as if you don’t believe Me?

God was right! Imagine that. So I amended my mother prayer. “Dear Lord, please help Steven be aware of Your presence today.”

The truth of God’s here-ness and nearness is punctuated throughout Scripture. So no matter what you are going through or what God has called you to, remember, He is right there with you. You’re never alone.

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that You are always with me. No matter where I go, You are there. Help me to be aware of Your presence, acknowledge Your presence, and rest in the truth of You’re here-ness and nearness every step of the way.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

How does it make you feel to know that God is always with you...no matter what?

What is one time when you were going through a difficult time that you sensed God’s presence?

What is one time when you were going through a difficult time that you did not sense God’s presence? Be honest.

Now, regardless of how you felt at that time, was God with you?

Is He with you now?

I try to stay away from “yes” and “no” questions, but sometimes we just need to say aloud what our minds know, so that our hearts can catch up.

More from the Girlfriends

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