Rest in the Here-ness and Near-ness of God

Sharon JaynesConfidence in Christ, Dealing with Your Past, Dreams of a Woman, Expectant Living, Listening to God, Living Fully, Renewing your mind with the Truth, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Trusting God 52 Comments

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 into 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” (Exod. 3:7–12).

It was almost as if God 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 who you 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:

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).

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 near-ness 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.

 Here are a few questions to ponder:

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 situaton that you sensed God’s presence?

What is one time when you were going through a difficult situation 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 speak with out mouths what our minds already know, so that our hearts can catch up. So if you know that God is with you today, simply leave a comment and say, “Yes, I know that God will with me today.”

 

TakeHoldOfTheFaithYouLongForToday’s blog was taken from my new book, Take Hold of the Faith you Long For: Let Go, Move Forward, Live Bold. A mediocre, mundane faith is not your destiny! In Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, I reveal the most common reasons we get stuck in our Christian faith. I show you how to LET GO of all that holds you back, MOVE FORWARD with all that God promises, and live the adventurous faith of BOLD BELIEVING. It’s time to leave behind feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy that hold you hostage and take hold of the mountain-moving faith God intends. Let’s uncover untapped sources of confidence and courage, and see how to move from simply knowing the truth to actually living it out boldly in a life marked by true freedom and expectancy. Click on the book cover to download a free chapter. Coming soon will be a video, and bonuses for ordering before May 1, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek today.

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Comments 52

  5. Yes, I know,God is with me! I like your reference about using our mouths to speak it out so our hearts can catch up!!! Very good. Thank you.

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  11. Yes indeed Sharon, I know that GOD is always with me. For truly it is in HIM that I live and move and have my being

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  12. Yes I know God is with me. I have wanted to commit suicide and He keeps telling me not to. I want to end my life though.

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    1. Father, I thank you for making your presence known by Minnie. I pray that she will feel the warmth of your love. Encampment your angels around her. I pray that you would destroy every stronghold and yoke of bond right now. Deliver her from the darkness that is enveloping her into your marvelous light. He has plans that give you hope and a future. Your life is precious! Don’t give up.

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  17. Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known to all men .The Lord is near. What a huge comfort to know that wherever I am He is ! Thanks for the reminder today.

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  18. Sharon – Yes! This has been a very difficult week for our entire church family but especially our dear pastor and his family. Pastor’s wife, Jill Rose had a heart attack on Sunday and after getting through the surgery and placing a stent in the blocked artery, she had complications and was rushed back to surgery. She passed into the loving arms of our Lord at age 59. Her family is devastated and our pastor is in a terrible state. Satan would love to see him defeated. Please pray for our Pastor Rose and his beautiful family. Their daughter is pregnant; expecting in June. This is probably a time that pastor would honestly admit that he does not feel the presence of God with him. Thank you for your prayers. Esther McCarthy of Cassville Baptist Church

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  19. Yes, I know God is with me today and every day and I totally depend on Him. We cannot go into the dark places that He has called us to without Him. He encamps His angel armies around us and the light of His love shines through.

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  25. Hi Sharon,
    I am trying to download the free chapter of ” Take Hold Of The Faith You Long For” but can’t get it to do anything except enlarge the picture of the cover. can you help me?

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      Author

  28. Wow! I do live as if God is far away and unconcerned about me too much of the time. I am in the presence of God. He has been speaking to me the past few days about faith and prayer. When I received the email today I knew he was using you. It’s so good to know that we have a God that reaches out to us! He is so AWESOME.

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  32. Yes, I do KNOW God is with me today..and EVERY DAY of my life..Thank you Jesus for your love and sacrifice, and even during the “quiet times” when I don’t FEEL you, I know you are with me..I love you…

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  34. I really feel compelled to share this story- A few years ago I was going through a terrible break up. I had felt it’s devastation to the core. I was broken and shattered because of the terrible choices I had made as a young christian woman and I felt like I had disappointed God so deeply. One day I was walking back to my car from the store and I looked to the sky to see the most marvelous sunset!! The purple and pink that was painted across the sky was melting me as I felt God’s warmth wrap around me and He let me know how truly near HE was and how far my SIN was from me. He showed me His nearness that day in such a real way and He romanced me back to Him. He is good, and He is so faithful to show us He is near in any situation!

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  47. Yes! Know that God is with me today and everyday! He gives me such joy and peace. I am so humbled by His presence that it brings tears of pure joy to my soul!

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