The Abiding Presence of Jesus
In this life, there will be times when we go through hardship and pain. We pray for healing but our loved one dies. We are in pain and the doctors cannot figure out why. We deal with trauma and loss, face financial difficulties, or simply have too much to do in a day.
When we face these hard times, we naturally want answers – we want to know why this is happening to us. We want the problem to be solved – we want to be free from pain, to be financially prosperous, to have an easier workload.
A little over a year ago, a prominent pastor lost his wife to cancer. Three days later, he preached a raw and vulnerable message about the goodness of God even in our pain. In the sermon, he said (paraphrased), "Even if God gave me answers, answers wouldn't solve my problem – because I still hurt. The only thing that can take everything that is out of sorts in me and make it right is His presence. I need Him."
The presence of God is our greatest treasure, and it is what I pray that we will always value most.
Jesus’ very name is Emmanuel, meaning "God with us." He wants to be with us, to be part of every moment. Right now, He is with you. One day your spouse, your friend, your loved one may die, but Jesus says, "I will never leave you, and I will never forsake you." If we know Him as Savior and Lord, He is with us, and He will never leave us.
His presence changes everything. His presence makes us okay when our circumstances are telling us that we shouldn’t be okay. In Psalm 23, when David was surrounded by enemies, he said, "I will not fear." Why? Because I have power over the enemy? He did have power over the enemy, but that wasn’t his confidence. Because I'm chosen to be king? No. "Because You are with me." Because You are with me, I will not fear. His assurance and comfort was the presence of God.
Some of you take weekly lessons with me, others subscribe to the online membership, and others glean from the YouTube videos and blog articles. I am thankful for each of you, and I pray for all of you. As we move forward together into a deeper understanding of worship and deeper fellowship with the Lord, I desire for us to value above all the abiding presence of Jesus among us.
Right here, in this moment, God is here with you. The Spirit rested and remained on Jesus, and He rests and remains on you. Turn your heart to Him and become aware of His presence. And as you do, everything that is out of place in you will be made right, for He is with you.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.