What An Incredible Day This Is Going To Be!

The greatest thing about today is that God is with you. A ton of different things could happen today but we have the great encouragement of knowing that we won't face any of it alone. The presence of the Lord is an incredible promise that we often forget about except on Sunday when we want to feel tickled by the Holy Spirit. We want that "goose bump" experience that helps us realize the greatness of God. We leave on Sunday feeling we could take on the world and we would never be defeated but then Monday comes along and it feels like someone let the wind out of our sail. Many followers of Jesus forget that God's presence is not a Sunday gift but a 7 day a week promise and it is his presence that encourages and strengthens us.

Many of the psalms reminds us of this incredible promise but let's pick on just one, Psalm 121:

I lift up my eyes to the hills— 
   where does my help come from? 
My help comes from the LORD, 
   the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)

We read the words and we even sing the many songs that have been written from it but when our face is in the dust and the problems are overwhelming us do we believe it? Many of us have faith to a point but when things start getting risky the majority of people abandon their faith and they seek their own solutions. Many cut short the work the Lord is doing through these things and settle for something less than what God had planned for them. We don't realize or at least we don't live the fact that Jesus is always with us, is always aware of our situations and is always prepared to provide, protect and defend. The word we are given is "wait on the Lord". Our Father loves to demonstrate his love for us through his daily provision, protection and defence of his children. But we panic because we do not know or understand the character and promises of our God. The solution is not found in your own actions because the only help that matters comes for the Maker of heaven and earth. Look to the promise:

He will not let your foot slip— 
   he who watches over you will not slumber; 
indeed, he who watches over Israel 
   will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:3-4)

Some people would say that plenty of things have happened to them. I would challenge them as to whether they looked to the Maker of heaven and earth or if they tried their own solution. Did they wait on God or did they panic? We also don't realize all the things, the disasters, the challenges that God has saved us from. We have no idea what our Shield has prevented from reaching us, we only know the tiny things he let get through for his own purposes. The things that have fallen on us are small in comparison and God uses those things for our good as he continues to help us grow into maturity. The encouraging thing here is that even when we are sleeping Jesus is with us because he never sleeps, he never misses a thing, he is aware of even more than what we are aware of in our own lives. He is our constant companion protecting us from the hidden things.

The LORD watches over you— 
   the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 
the sun will not harm you by day, 
   nor the moon by night. (Psalm 121:5-6)

Panic is a terrible thing that rips up faith and scatters it in the winds of adversity. It is a sign of our lack of maturity, understanding and relationship with Jesus Christ. God's promises are more sure than this day, than the foundation of this earth, than all the laws of physics. If God has promised it then our only response is one of agreement: AMEN! The LORD watches over you, travels with you, stays by your side no matter where you are and what you are experiencing. He knows your thoughts, your heart, the hidden things that no one else knows; it is the most intimate relationship you could have with anyone. He will not let any harm fall on you except for the stuff you try to take care of yourself. You know there is a reason that Scripture says:

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

The existing part most of us have but it is the promises about living, the rewards of our relationship that we continue to struggle with.

The LORD will keep you from all harm— 
   he will watch over your life; 
the LORD will watch over your coming and going 
   both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:7-8)

I ask you, do you believe? Now I ask, what do you believe? The promise of Jesus that he would always be with us and then the gift of the indwelling Spirit should be enough to keep us filled with a "Sunday experience" every single day of the week. There should be no panic about us but instead a quiet, calm confidence in the love of our Lord Jesus. Discover the promises again, study the scripture, practice the presence of God and see for yourself if it doesn't change how you approach the challenges of your day.

Today is a glorious day because I woke to the presence of my God and I will walk with him throughout my day. He is my strength, encouragement, and director of my day. I will wait on him and see him in action today. In this day he will give me a new testimony to share with a world that is desperate to see some reality to our proclaimed faith. Today I walk in the confidence that Jesus Christ loves me, abides in me and is interactive with me, watching over me, protecting and defending me, as well as providing for my needs. I live the reality that I can't do this on my own and that I desperately need him. My dependence is on Jesus. What an incredible day this is going to be.