Trust His Presence

photo credit

Let’s just get real. Sometimes I really want to see, hear, and touch God in the flesh. Sometimes I really need that tangible expression of God’s love. And it can be extremely frustrating when I am in one of those moments where “I am just not feeling it.” I know that faith is being sure of what I do not see. I have faith. But sometimes I want that faith to have arms, legs, and a face. I need to be embraced, hugged, rocked.

I know that I am not alone in this.  I know that you have felt this way, too.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.   (2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 NIV)
 

So, in light of that verse, do we really feel comforted?

The word comfort in those verses is the Greek word paraklesis, a derivative of paraklete. This word comes from the verb which means, “to call,” and para which means “alongside of.” The God of all comfort means, “He is right there with you.” In the form of the Holy Spirit, God is right there in it with us. We are never alone.

We must learn to trust His presence even when we do not feel it.

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me,
the Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me. (Isaiah 49: 13 - 16) 

Shout! Rejoice! Burst into song!  Why? Because our God comforts... He breathes forcibly, consoles, and shows mercy, pity, and wonderful tenderness on His people. He loves deeply, soothes hearts, and shows compassion on His afflicted...His children who are depressed in mind or circumstances.

Depressed in mind or circumstances? Overwhelmed? The God of ALL Comfort is here.

But Zion (Jerusalem) said “ I feel like God has left me all alone, He has forgotten me, forsaken me.”

Do you ever felt forgotten? The Bible tells us that God will NEVER leave us or forsake us.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will never, no not ever, forget you. See, I have engraved (etched, inscribed, written) you on the palms of my hands." 

Our names have been engraved on the palms of his hands by the nails that He endured on Calvary.

Have you felt forgotten?  Overwhelmed or depressed by your circumstances?  Let the God of comfort remind you that He has you etched in the palm of his hand.  Rejoice knowing that He is there to comfort you, to love you deeply, to soothe you, to have mercy on you.  Trust Him.

Trust His Presence.

When I desire to be close to God, to feel His presence, I like to worship Him, praise Him, and thank Him. It is amazing! God does indeed inhabit the praises of His people. So invite Him!

And here is one of my favorite songs to invite His Presence...

The more I seek you,

The more I find you

The more I find you, the more I love you

[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsty.com/kari-jobe-the-more-i-seek-you-lyrics.html ]

I wanna sit at your feet

Drink from the cup in your hand.

Lay back against you and breathe, feel your heart beat

This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand.

I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming

(Kari Jobe) The More I Seek You

Trust His Presence, today. He is there. 


Living for ONE by getting off the throne,


Kelli


Linking up with:


Jen at Finding Heaven Today and Shanda at A Pause on the Path