Like a warm blanket on a frosty day, God’s presence instills in us a tranquility, a peace that goes beyond understanding. Especially in troubled times.
Perhaps you are going through great trials, perhaps it seems too much to bear. His presence is there, even when we don’t feel it. It’s not about feelings anyway, it’s about trusting in Him in all things.
I will admit there have been times when life’s struggles were such that I thought I could do it on my own. I couldn’t. God allowed great trials in my life so I would learn to trust Him in all things… from the little minute things like losing my keys to the huge financial woes. I continue to learn that aspect of my faith as I wade through new and sometimes frightening struggles.
When you’re a type “A” personality, it’s difficult to give up the reins to someone else, especially someone you cannot see. But I know God is there. Right by my side. I have felt His presence and when I think He’s far away, I know He covers me with His presence. I remember the times when I felt His presence and I go back to that to remind me that He’s there even when I can’t feel Him.
Through difficult times, I depend wholly on Him, through His word and prayer… asking Jesus to intercede for me. The Holy Spirit gives me a peace that surpasses all understanding. I can’t explain it. It’s just… there.
In my weekly Bible study, I tried to explain the presence of God to the group, but the words I chose to convey it were totally inadequate.
The still small voice that prompts me to do or say something that will bless another person is hard to explain. It’s His presence, for sure, but giving a concrete explanation to someone who has never felt the presence of God, is nearly impossible. I can’t. Only the Word of God and the Holy Spirit can. A person has to know in his or her heart that Jesus is there, by their side, for themselves.
That’s not to say, God’s presence will be felt every time we pray or in every situation because it won’t… but, and this is a BIG but… He is there. I know it from His Word because He is the same… yesterday, today, and forever.
Below are some uplifting verses for you to ponder when the struggles seem to be too much, and you don’t feel His presence. Say them out loud and incorporate them into prayer. He hears you. Memorize one or more that speaks to your heart. The Word of God will carry you through anything that comes your way.
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1
Author’s note: Psalm 91 is one of my favorite psalms when I’m dealing with health issues. This Psalm was put to contemporary music by the Marinatha singers back in the 1970s. Check it out on YouTube. (All their music was scriptural and made it so uplifting. Moreso than any other contemporary gospel or worship music I’ve heard over the years.)
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. Psalm 97:5
Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Psalm 100:2
Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob, Psalm 114:7
Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence— As fire burns brushwood, As fire causes water to boil— To make Your name known to Your adversaries, That the nations may tremble at Your presence! When You did awesome things for which we did not look, You came down, The mountains shook at Your presence. Isaiah 64:1-3
The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. Nahum 1:5
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, Acts 3:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 1Thes 2:19
There are many more verses I could have included here, but these are to whet your appetite to look for more in your time of trouble. Do you have any that I haven’t mentioned that are dear to your heart?
First published in Seralynn Lewis’ Red Hearts Newsletter,Volume 24-08.