Ever Present

There are times when we can feel like we are on our own. Dealing with personal illness- both mental and physical, first-time parenting, experiencing the loss of a loved one are all examples of times when we may struggle with loneliness.

There are numerous self-help books available to us. Parenting and marriage manuals and on-line medical information is at our fingertips. But the writers of these are not available to us.  Download them, purchase them, then figure it out on your own.

We can sit, staring off into the distance, with texts like “How to Change Your Life” or “How To Improve Your Health” open in our hands. Yet, there we sit, silently suffering alone. Someone’s ideas, someone whom we will never meet, words on a page.

In the whole entire universe, there is only ONE text that guarantees the author’s guiding presence, at all times, in all places, to all readers. Imagine that, never alone to figure it out on our own. The Author’s presence always.

The only hitch is that we must make the choice. We must choose Him and read His Words.

And ALWAYS, this Author is available to teach, provide understanding and guidance, moving our hearts towards good and training our eyes to discern true worth. One Author, always fulfilling Their promises and caring for us.

In Psalm 119 the Author speaks through another person, showing us how to freely talk to Him (God), when seeking His help:

“My soul is weary with sorrow, strengthen me according to your word (v 28).

Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees, then I will keep them to the end.

Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.

Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word (vss 33-37).

May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise (v 41).”

The Author of the Bible, the Almighty God, is drawing us into an on-going relationship with Him – NOW – right now in this present moment. Notice these words: teach me, give me, direct me, turn my heart, turn my eyes — all are present tense, active words of a living, mutual love and respectful relationship.

Lord, thank you for the promise of relationship with You. Sometimes though I don’t sense your presence and my mind says, “I am alone.”  Help me to develop faith to trust in your presence whether I sense it or not. Help me to believe your promises, no matter what. Draw me to your word every day that my faith will continually grow. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.