I’m writing this in isolation. I’m guess you’re reading it in isolation. At least some form of isolation. For me, it means I’m at home with my wife and kids. All of my speaking events for the foreseeable future have been canceled. Our church and small group meet on Zoom. My own mother – whom we normally see several times a week – isn’t able to come share a meal or hug her grandchildren.
More than ever, we long for presence. Being together. Speaking face-to-face. We are grateful for the technology that helps us see and hear
each other. But it’s not the same as presence. There is a longing to be “with” each other. To share a hug. To share a meal. To simply share the same space.
That day will come. It will.
Until then, I am striving to focus on The Presence. Below are a handful of passages that remind is that God is present. He is “with” us. He is not isolated due to a virus. He is here. Right here. With me. With you.
Take some time – maybe even one passage each day – and meditate on these passages. Be reminded of The Presence of the One who is always – and always will be – present.
I’m not adding any commentary this time. You don’t need to hang out with me. You need to hang out with your Heavenly Father.
Soak in these words…His words…
Exodus 33:11-15 (CSB)
The Lord would speak with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend, then Moses would return to the camp. His assistant, the young man Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the inside of the tent.
Moses said to the Lord, “Look, you have told me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor with me.’ Now if I have indeed found favor with you, please teach me your ways, and I will know you, so that I may find favor with you. Now consider that this nation is your people.”
And he replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
“If your presence does not go,” Moses responded to him, “don’t make us go up from here.
Psalm 139:5-14 (CSB)
You have encircled me; you have placed your hand on me. This wondrous knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.
Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night”— even the darkness is not dark to you. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to you.
For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.
John 15:1-11 (CSB)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.
“As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
“I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
Matthew 1:22-23 (CSB)
Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”
Matthew 28:16-20 (CSB)
The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
God is present. He is with us. And He’s not going anywhere. Amen.