He is here

I had a bit of a sleepless night last night. Not unusual for me, but sleepless nonetheless. At one point I rolled over to try to get comfortable, only to see once again, the empty space next to me. I felt very alone, and the darkness only aided that feeling. I reached my hand out, and fell asleep.

This morning I was reminded of that magnificent proclamation of old, "and you shall call His name Immanuel, God with us." That glorious Divine presence, that grand Assurance, that wherever I am , whatever I am doing, God is present. But why don't I always feel Him near? Why do I often feel I am going this alone? Why do the nights still loom, shouting my singleness? Why in my darkest hours of Dale's final moments did I not feel the Lord's presence?

When Christ hung dying on the cross for me, he cried out, 'My God, why have you forsaken me?' Why did the Son of God feel like I often do? Perhaps, so He could understand better my humanness, my fearful moments? Maybe because I am given a task to do, as He was, and I must accomplish, not on my own really, but by what God has given to me at that moment to use to do the work; part of hewing and moulding of me? I don't know, but this I do know. I was never alone. I will never be alone, even when it feels like I am.

I have made mention before that I am by nature a fearful Nellie. I joke it is my spiritual gift. I believe the Lord has scripted Isaiah 40.10 just for me. 'Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.'

I love passages in scripture where the Lord is speaking with, 'I will, I have, I did...' In Isaiah 43 there are several of those, all underlined in my bible.

I have redeemed you...I have called you by My name...I will be with you...I am the Lord your God...I love you...I am with you...I have created you for My glory...whom I have formed, whom I have made..whom I have chosen... I am He...I am the Lord...I who have declared and saved and proclaimed...I am God. If I am so loved, chosen, created, redeemed..., how could I ever doubt the Lord's presence in my life? How could I ever forget how precious I am in His sight? He will never leave me or forsake me. He is here...a most joyous thought indeed!