Jump Start # 3912
Hebrews 13:5 “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, bring content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’”
We sing the hymn, “Be with me, Lord…” Our verse today holds the promise, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” Yet, how do we know that God is with us? In this current culture of hatred, violence and terrible disagreements, people ask, “Where is God?”
As disciples, what is the answer? Ancient Israel could look out of their tents and see a fire at night in the tabernacle and know that God was there. The early disciples could walk along side of Jesus and know that God is here. But, we don’t have fire and smoke from Heaven today. We don’t have Jesus walking the streets of our towns these days. The world seems to be getting darker and darker, how do we know God’s presence is with us?
Troubling times ask these kinds of questions. When we are shaken to the core and the storms never seem to end, doubt creeps in. Fear escalates. And, we begin to ask, “Where is God?”
Last week I had the honor of preaching at a congregation that was a big part of my life years ago. I had preached at that congregation for fifteen years. I was young and did a lot of growing up with those folks. I stood behind the pulpit that I had preached nearly a thousand sermons from. That pulpit and I spent many Sundays together. I was asked to preach about the Promise of God’s Presence.
The presence of God and being united with God is really the theme of the Bible. It’s not just getting to Heaven, it’s being one with God now and forever. That’s how the Bible starts. God is walking in the garden. God wants to be united with His people. But, Adam hid from God. Jonah thought he could run from God. The pagan Gentiles thought they could reshape God into something they liked.
But, for us, how do we know that God is with us? Some wonder about that. Some are looking for a sign. Others, a feeling or a sensation. Some have given up and think that we are on our own. But, what about our verse today? I will NEVER desert you. God will not forsake us. NEVER.
Some thoughts:
First, we must believe. That’s the foundation of our walk with God. We’ve never seen Heaven, but we believe it’s there. We can’t feel forgiveness. One doesn’t feel sins going out of their heart. One doesn’t witness the sins being blotted out of God’s book. But, we know those things are true. We know by faith.
God promised and that’s enough. God doesn’t say things just to say them. God doesn’t make promises and then changes His mind about them. Never desert you is a promise. God is with us. You can’t see it, feel it, smell it, taste it, but by faith, we know. Trust God, He’s here.
Second, the answer to our prayers affirms that God is near. He hears. He knows. He does things. God works through people to accomplish His divine will. We look back on our journey with the Lord and there are so many prayers that have been answered by God. Prayers for the sick. Prayers for open doors. Prayers for strength. God is near enough to hear and near enough to do things.
Third, we witness the hand of God in so many things. It is easy to conclude that the work of God is finished. Everything we read about Him in the Bible has taken place. So, is the Lord just waiting for us to get to Heaven? What’s He doing now? And, that alone is a marvelous study.
· God is blessing you. Jesus told the disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” And, He does.
· God is guarding our hearts. The peace of God gives us comfort, hope and assurance. The world may be falling apart, but God’s not.
· God continues to forgive you. Every day. He longs to be close to you.
· God strengthens, comforts and encourages you. Sometimes this is done through His word. Sometimes it’s through the people God puts in our lives.
· God is working with you and through you in the greatest work of all, kingdom work.
· God is providing a way of escape out of temptation. He does that every day.
God is busy today. He is doing things for you, around you and in you that you may not even recognize.
God’s presence. God is with us. God is around us. That promise means that we are never alone. It means that the help of Heaven is near by. We are never without help. And, it means that the Lord has not forgotten you.
The Presence of God, encouraging, helping and comforting. Jesus was called, “Immanuel,” which means ‘God among us.’ John proclaimed that Jesus dwelt among us. God with us and we with God—that’s the divine intent.
Roger