God is Always with Us
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Lord, we desire to feel your presence and tangibly know you are there. Please help us understand your love never wavers whether you seem distant or near. Help us to trust your way is always right.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)
REFLECT:
In school the other day my students and I talked about my class not being fun. I explained that if my class was always fun they would get used to it and it would be harder to appreciate how fun it really was. Additionally, if I kept my class from being fun it would make it more likely they would perceive other classes and situations as enjoyable. The truth was that I was doing them a favor by keeping my class boring. Though it was a semi-silly conversation that was actually fun, the concept we were discussing is very true. Even though we may not enjoy the boring times, or especially the difficult times, it would be impossible to appreciate the good times if that is all we ever experienced.
Feeling, really feeling God’s love for us would be impossible if He shined it brightly on us each day in a way we easily recognized. Though there are times it may feel like He isn’t present or doesn’t care, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The one thing that is ALWAYS true is His love and concern for us. He knows our every thought and is always ready to listen to our hopes and fears. And when we keep a relationship with Him, however mundane it may feel at times, there will be those moments when His light shines clearly upon us, and oh how great that will feel.
APPLY:
It is easy to feel like God is distant and inactive in our lives. If you feel like He isn’t around consider taking a few minutes each day to acknowledge in writing, or internally, the moments worthy of gratitude. Even during the most difficult times He is with us, and taking note of His blessings no matter how small can help remind us of that truth.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank you Jesus for understanding us and caring for us the way we need even if it’s not always how we want it. Your love for us is constant and for that we are grateful.
WORSHIP: