God is Here

There seem to be so many difficult, unexpected things going on in my life and the lives of my family and friends. Things I never expected to happen. Sometimes, I find myself asking God: Why is this happening? Will I be able to get through this? Will I be able to handle the future? These are hard questions but, in God, we find precious answers. Our trials force us to acknowledge God’s presence in our lives by either embracing it or denying it. But I praise the Lord that all those around me who are struggling right now are embracing God’s presence wholeheartedly. Even if we know nothing else, we can know, without faltering, that God is here.

Our first step towards knowing this, then, is keeping our gaze fixed on God. Just taking the step of looking to Him and seeking Him is a huge step in the right direction. Without it, no other worthwhile step can be taken. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV - 1978 revision) says: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” By taking on the cross, Christ defeated the root of sin and all sin’s effects on the world and, in victory, He reigns on His Father’s throne. Now, all who believe can live in the reality of this victory. What a privilege to be able to seek the face of our all-powerful, all-glorious God!

However, the only way we can even do so much as seek God is by His grace. God says to us: “…My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV (1978 revision)). We must never forget or ignore the power of God in us. God’s workings in our lives and the lives of other believers (including the miracle of salvation) continually surround us with testimony of His grace. In addition, His grace is a boundary and concept that the enemy cannot comprehend or break through. After God’s Word, it is one of the believer’s most important tools of defense.

But we must trust God to let His power and grace work through us and help us “… continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6 NIV (1978 revision)). Matthew 11:28 (NIV - 1978 revision) says: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” God promises us that if we yoke ourselves to Him, He will show us the way and will not be like the cow or ox who runs away with the partner he is yoked to - the one he is supposed to be teaching and guiding. It is another promise of His grace.

Then, when we are in tandem with God, we can focus on the fruit He wants us to produce for His kingdom. He equips each of us differently, gives us our battles accordingly, and He has a mission for us in every battle. No matter how incapacitated we feel, there is always some way God wants us to take part in using our struggles for good - for His glory. His love is ever-present like He is (Psalm 46:1) and He, Himself, enables us to do things that are pleasing to Him: “for it is God Who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 ESV).

When our focus is on God and building His kingdom, unexpected trials become unexpected - even exciting - ways to engage with God’s purpose for our lives. The greatest darkness that has ever been (Christ’s death) resulted in the greatest light and life that has ever graced this world and our trials can be vessels for that light. Our attitude, testimony of our experience, and even just the existence of our trials can bring the light of Christ to those who need it. Everything in this life, whether good or bad, brings the opportunity to reflect the Lord to His people. May we see the reflection of God’s face in whatever our life looks like at the moment and, when we can’t see His face, may we know that it is, indeed, there.

Though we walk through this fallen world,

Though our foe draws so very near,

See our Advocate above Who leads us with His love

And whispers to our heart: “Do not fear.”

Through the clouds of our troubled souls,

Through the war of this earthly life,

See God’s light in full array - bright beams that point the way

To hope that dwells beyond pain and strife.

God is here. God is with us.

With His wings, He surrounds us.

Through the terror of the night, see God’s everlasting light

And feel it gently speak: “God is here.”

(God is Here, © Sabrina Brem 2024)