Closer than we think.
This is something we have to remind ourselves of when it seems or feels that God is far away, or that He is silent in our situation.
This is my answer to the question “Where is our God?’ which came up in yesterday’s sermon at church. There is a previous blog on that one. https://www.naalamiokor.com/where-is-our-god/
I saw this interesting caption somewhere and it said this:
“If God seems quiet right now, remember that no one shouts when they are right next to you.”
I couldn’t help but smile when I read this.
Many times in life, we have to as it were “encourage ourselves in the Lord”.
Life can be hard, but like I always say – God Dey!
Once God dey, we too we dey and we dey paaaa!
Who is a pardoning God like Thee?
Or who has grace so rich and free?.
None!
No one!
To “encourage yourself in the Lord” means to actively shift your focus away from your circumstances, anxieties, or lack of external support and instead anchor your hope, your strength, and confidence in God’s character, presence and promises”.
Wow!
1 Samuel 30:1-6 NIV –
David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, 2 and had taken captive the women and everyone else in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way.
3 When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
The words of this song come to mind:
I look to You to find my strength.
Carry me to the end of my days!
A steady hand to lead me through,
Arms of faith to bring me back to You!
I will keep my eyes on love,
Set my heart on things above!
When my soul is so afraid,
I look to You to find my strength!
Key aspects of encouraging ourselves in God:
– recalling past deliverance: actively remembering and reflecting on how God has helped you, provided or rescued you in the past to build faith for the present.
– Looking to Scripture. That wonderful word of God! We must meditate on God’s promises than dwell on the problem. Our God is bigger than any problem!
– Worship and prayer. Intentionally spending time praising God and obeying His command to cast all our cares on Him.
– Taking personal responsibility. Relying on God directly for our emotional and spiritual strength than waiting on others to life our spirits.
Who is at the centre of it all?
GOD! God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and yes the God of ______ (please insert your name here), who has promised never to leave nor forsake you, who is the Alpha and Omega, who is the same yesterday, today and forever!
Yes, THAT GOD is with you.
I’ll end with the words below:
Joshua 1:8-9 NIV –
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
As we take up our cross daily, may we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Did I mention ending? 😅 I must add on the words of a hymn.
They who tread the path of labor
follow where my feet have trod;
they who work without complaining,
do the holy will of God;
nevermore thou needest seek me;
I am with thee everywhere;
raise the stone, and thou shalt find me,
cleave the wood and I am there.
Where the many toil together,
there am I among my own;
where the tired workman sleepeth,
there am I with him alone:
I, the Peace that passeth knowledge,
dwell amid the daily strife;
I, the Bread of heaven am broken
in the sacrament of life.
Every task, however simple,
sets the soul that does it free;
every deed of love and mercy,
done to man is done to me.
nevermore thou needest seek me;
I am with thee everywhere;
raise the stone, and thou shalt find me;
cleave the wood, and I am there.
God bless you!
😊🙏🏽
