Our cat Felix loves to sit on people’s laps on his terms. Meaning, he is not a fan of people grabbing him and forcing a cuddle. Lately, when I am the only one in the living room, he will come and bless me with his little presence. Luna will sense a disturbance in the force and come from the bowels of the house to take back her territory (me). She will climb up to the back of the couch and lean over my shoulder to let Felix know this is not appropriate behavior.
Now what’s interesting is that Luna is kinda scared of Felix, but in this situation, she stands up to him. There may be a few reasons why, but the main is me. I’m right there and she knows I won’t let anything happen to her. She has confidence because she knows who is right next to her.
She’s such a little thing, but animals teach us so much, don’t they? There, just sitting there, I could see her confidence and trust in me, so she could move in and move the offending cat outta the way. 🙂 What does the word of God say about his nearness to us?
First, Psalms.
“When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless until I entered God’s sanctuary. Then I understood their destiny. Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand. Who do I have in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all You do.”
Psalms 73:16-17, 23, 25-26, 28 HCSB
Lately, I have been quite fearful. I look at our world. I look at my bank account. I wonder about the pain. I look at the waves. The Psalmist seems to understand this! Everything seems hopeless. Then I entered God’s sanctuary. Then I came into His Presence. But wait, He says, I’m always with You. It doesn’t just have to be on Sundays or at Bible study with friends. This can happen continually, because He holds my hand. No matter what I am facing right now, there is something greater at work.
God’s plan.
His nearness to us is our good. Think that through for a moment with me. God’s strength is my heart and portion. So, think about yourself falling asleep at night or driving your car or cooking dinner or …. Where does your mind go? Are you trying to solve life’s problems?
I am.
We each have some heavy, weighty problems, and it’s very easy to try and finagle a solution. Plan out my next step. Figure how to answer the conflict. Or make sure the budget stretches.
I’m not focused on what will bring me peace when I do that. None of my solutions really ever bring me peace.
““Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.””
Luke 21:34-36 HCSB
Notice that Jesus places drinking and drunkenness on par with worry. All will addle our minds in excess. All will distract us from what our minds need to be focused upon. Jesus has a better way, but the battlefield is the mind. Will we stop the free fall and remember He is near? He is with us.
His nearness to us is our good. God’s presence is our answer, friend.
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