I want to take a brief detour from blogging on the book of Revelation this month and write about something new and personal in my life. Although I cannot discuss details, I am in the military serving my country right now. In some ways, this is nothing new for me, but in other ways this time is very different. All of which can bring anxiety and fear.
I recently preached a sermon on listening to God in the new year. The fact is God does speak to us – through the Holy Spirit, the Bible, the church, others, and circumstances – but the question I posed is “are you even listening?” And when you do hear His voice, how do you respond?
Generally, God tends to speak to me through the Scriptures during my daily quiet time. That’s not the only way He communicates with me, of course, but when I’m reading the Bible and slowing down long enough to pay attention, I can often sense answers to prayers, guidance, closeness, and even preparation. But the key to it all is spending time alone with God and “being still” long enough to listen. This is why two of my all-time favorite verses are Psalm 37:7 and Psalm 46:10. (Look them up!)
As far as what’s going on for me right now, a recurring theme kept coming up in various ways: Do not be afraid. In fact, I wrote Psalm 27:1 in my journal not long ago. It says, says, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” And then I felt God reminding me of Proverbs 3:5-6, which basically says that if I trust in Him with all my heart and not try to figure it all out, then He will guide me. I love those verses.
Several days later I had a chance to lead a worship service and spoke on Joshua chapter 1, where God tells Joshua that he is now in charge (since Moses died), and that the Lord would be with Joshua as He had been with Moses. Three times in the first nine verses God tells him to be strong and courageous and not be afraid… because God will never leave him nor forsake him. It was as if those verses were speaking to me, too, and I wanted to share it with others. You and I don’t have to be afraid because God is with us and won’t ever leave. Ever.
This is true for all who trust in Jesus for their salvation. I believe that God is omnipresent, which means He is everywhere. There is nowhere I can go where He is not. I also believe His Holy Spirit is within me (and all believers) to teach and guide and convict and minister on a daily basis. This is why I do not have to be afraid. He is with me.
No matter where I am, God is there also. He is my light and shield and protector and rock, etc. Yet, it does not mean He will always keep me away from danger and away from harm – because that’s not reality. But I can bank on the promise that He will be with me through whatever comes my way and will never leave or forsake me in the process. If God is with me, who can be against me? And I have to remember that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
Those promise gives me strength and hope and comfort during difficult times. I hope they can do the same for you.
