In His Presence

April 17 - Gerry Gardner

Psalm 16:5, 8-9

“Lord, I have chosen You alone as my inheritance. You are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion.

I leave my destiny and its timing in Your hands……. Because You are close to me and always available, my confidence will never be shaken, for I experience Your wrap-around presence every moment. My heart and my soul explode with joy –full of glory! Even my body will rest confident and secure.” (The Passion Translation) The psalmist writes of such total reliance on the Lord from a heart that would seem to want it no other way. Such certainty and contentment is contagious when Jesus Christ alone is where we choose to dwell…..in His wrap-around presence. Perhaps there has never been another time in global history that we have needed His presence more. And to know that there is no other god who is capable of holding every place and every person in this whole world at once is to only begin to know our God’s majestic power and authority. HE ALONE!

I have often wondered how this pandemic looks through the eyes of a child. Many children are experiencing this world shut-down yet in various ways. When one six-year old was asked why he had to stay home and not go to school, he answered, “Because they ran out of toilet paper.”

My own grandchildren just explain that there are “germies” out there. One kid is quick to coach others about 6 feet apart. Another child instinctively runs across the yard to hug a best friend in the neighborhood, not a care on her mind. Children in other cultures will have unique memories. Different ages will bring different understanding. Yet, what if the greatest thing all the children would remember is that they witnessed their families be courageously dependent on God, living into the psalmist’s words “because You are close to me and always available, my confidence will never be shaken” (v. 8)? An ancient proclamation for such a time as this!

We can be this witness! The opportunity is right here, right now….“the Kingdom of God is at hand.”

Let us pray:

We come to You, Lord God, first and foremost as Your children who look to You for wisdom and understanding in these trying times. We gather up those whom You have given us to love and protect and we look to You to be the Source of all that we need, fully embracing our dependence on You and no other. Give us hearts to love like You and voices to comfort with Your Word as we gather others into Your wrap-around presence this day and in the days to come. Amen.