Tag: God is with you

  • Lonely Places

    God walks with you

    Tundra swan in flight
    Tundra swan

    I sat on the bench at the popular watching area. A single cormorant sat on the shore, wings spread, sunning itself. Alone, Mallard Drake honked, getting no response. A lone swan flew considerably behind the flock, calling plaintively to its flock mates who were now almost out of sight.

    The swan’s call was different from what I was used to hearing. I later looked it up on my Merlin app and learned it was a tundra swan. Although I knew there were plenty of trumpeters around, I didn’t realize there was a separate species.

    To the cormorant, the swan, and the duck, the lake seemed a lonely place. It was quite a different story on the pathways.

    It seemed that everyone and their dog (literally) were out walking. The park has several walking trails and is busy from when the gates open in the morning until they close in the evening. Depending on your perspective, the lake was both a lonely place and filled with activity.

    Life can be that way. We sometimes feel alone and separated from God. Yet, if we could roll back the veil and see what is transpiring in the spirit realm, the level of activity would overwhelm us.

    The prophets of old had the heavenlies revealed to them. One verse always strikes me with what it unveils.

    Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17 ESV

    Some of the disciples saw Jesus and others on the Mount of Transfiguration. Paul, John, and others had the heavens revealed to them.

    Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we are repeatedly given glimpses of what is happening all around us but just out of our sight. God’s ministering servants are hard at work on our behalf and bringing Him glory.

    We are reminded that God is with us.

    So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me? Hebrews 13:6 ESV

    Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV

    Until next time, remember when you feel like you are in one of those lonely places and distant from God, that there is more than you can imagine happening on your behalf all around you.

    Kevin

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  • Where is God on Rainy Days

    Hilside waterfall obscured by sheets of rain, Abbotsfor BC - atmospheric river

    Yesterday, Kathy and I went for a country drive in the rain. I’ve been stuck at home the past two weeks fighting a nasty bug and was going stir-crazy. The “atmospheric river” plaguing us and causing localized flooding didn’t improve my disposition. I did manage to sneak out for a few minutes on Saturday to vote, but other than that, I have been housebound.

    I needed out before cabin fever set in, so rain or no rain, we took a drive. We saw a few eagles and plenty of little waterfalls. This photo looks a little grainy and unclear, but that’s because the rain was coming down in wind-blown sheets, obscuring our view.

    I was grateful to get out for a few hours despite the weather.

    Can I let you in on a secret? Life can be like the weather; some days, it’s great, and others, it’s downright oppressive and miserable.

    Some so-called Bible teachers will tell you that if you have enough faith, you can get everything you ever wanted from God, and everything will be perfect. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing and deceivers.

    God is more interested in our holiness than in our temporal earthly happiness. His goal is to make us more like Jesus through or despite the circumstances surrounding us.

    Even Jesus, fully God and fully man, and sinless in every way, experienced the hard side of life. He was rejected, mocked, hated, rebuked, tortured and killed. Why should we expect any different?

    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

    Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV

    Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 ESV

    In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV

    When the clouds roll in, don’t despair. Jesus still has your back. Tough times are part and parcel of the fallen human condition. 

    Whatever we face has a purpose, and Jesus will shine in our lives through it. He will never leave or forsake us, no matter the weather.

    Until next time, rejoice in His faithfulness.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Showers of Mercy and Grace