God Is Present Among You
16-17 Jerusalem will be told:
“Don’t be afraid.
Dear Zion,
don’t despair.
Your God is present among you,
a strong Warrior there to save you.
Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love
and delight you with his songs.
(Zephaniah 3:16-17, MSG)
The past few months I have been really praying to EXPERIENCE the love of God; I mean to really know His love, in a tangible way. I know as I prepare for the Race and get ready to embrace all the God has ahead, His love is what is going to guide EVERYTHING! I want to know His love; to experience it’s closeness, it’s vastness, its depth, height, weight, and it all.
As daily life moves, so many vices are vying for our attention, my attention. But His love always stands in our corner. You see, we all know about busyness and where our energies get put into, but we have to constantly put our minds, hearts, and strength all towards His love. As I am entering into my final semester at the University of Toledo, student teaching, working, taking classes, fundraising, and just continuing to live life, so many things are vying for my attention. It all hit me last night.
My energy was gone. My encouragement levels were at zero and I was exhausted. It all hit me; the lies, the enemy attacks, the fears, the worries, it all hit. I felt like the world was caving in. And whenever I feel this way I know from past experience, its hard to stop feeling these emotions. So I claim the blood of Jesus. I call his name, literally aloud. I pray for Him to speak louder than the voices of the world around me. I pray for Jesus to enter into my 3 bedroom apartment where me and my five friends live. I pray to encounter His presence.
And He comes.
As I am trying to sleep and relax my mind, He invites this passage from Zephaniah to run through the rivers of worry in my head. He was present. He calmed me with His love in a way similar to how your mom may tuck you into bed after a hard day. He began to sing truths over me. He reminded me how I was called. How I am worthy. He stilled my brain. He shut the door in the face of the lies. He dropped peace.
He is indescribable in the ways He reaches out to us. He will go to whatever lengths it takes to win us, to be with us.
He knew what I needed in that moment better than even what I was praying. I never thought I would feel the peace I did. I didn’t know what encouragement He would bring.
But He came.
He was present.
He is present in our lives.
And its Him being present that is was is most truly amazing about our God, He is with us.
He doesn’t abandon, He rescues.
He doesn’t forsaken, He redeems.
He is here. And He is already ahead of me (with the Race, school, relationships, and life).
He is good.
He is God!
Be encouraged and know you are loved,
-V
