Matthew 28:20 And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
 

 

I once had to ride in a car with an acquaintance to a conference eight hours away.  Days before our departure, I wondered and worried IF we would have anything to talk about for 8 LONG HOURS! After all, I did not know this person very well, and I could not imagine spending that much time with another person in complete silence!

On the other hand, my husband and I have traveled for 8 hours in a car to our property in Texas on several occasions.  Not once before one of our trips did I consider what we would talk about as we traveled. This was not a concern for me because after years of marriage, we are now comfortable to be in each other's presence ... even in times of silence.

In today's scripture, God's assures us that He will be with us to the very end of age ... for ETERNITY.  As I reflected on this awesome promise of ALWAYS having God's presence with us, I was reminded of the difference in how I approached the car trip with the virtual stranger and the ones with my husband.  I definitely didn't have to be concerned about what I would talk about OR not talk about.

I believe that many of us miss out on the wonderful opportunity to bask in God's presence in our quiet time with Him - believing that we have to go to Him with elaborate prayers that are often pretentious and not heartfelt.  Instead, we should approach our time with God as an opportunity to be with a close friend.  We should use this time to catch up with Him, to discuss our problems, to ask for direction, to take great pleasure in spending time together in solitude.

My challenge to you today is to fully realize that it is OK to approach HIM in silence.  In fact, He tells us in Psalm 46:10 to "Be still, and know that I am God."  His desire is not for you to go to Him with a prepared speech.  Instead, He desires for you to go to Him in anticipation of spending time with Someone who has promised to work out all of your problems for your good ... Someone who
has great plans for your life ... Someone who has promised to be with you forever and ever!

Dear Lord, Thank You for Your promise to never leave me. Help me to be still in Your presence ... to listen in the quietness of our times together for Your direction for my life.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection: Are you comfortable in your times of stillness with The Lord?