Experiencing God's Presence #317

Experiencing God's Presence #317

Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.

Psalm 73:23, NKJV

That the psalm turns on a “nevertheless” implies that the psalmist has felt some distance or separation from God. In fact, his musings were off base until he entered the sanctuary and spent time in God’s Presence. But the “nevertheless” is not only a hinge moment for the psalmist, it’s a repeated hinge moment in our lives too. We have to be able to shift from that sense of separation to a deep-down knowledge that we are still with Him. We have to know, even when we don’t feel it, that He holds us by the hand.

It’s true; God holds us in His heart. His gaze is continually on us. He takes pleasure in the vision He has for us, in the knowledge of who we are becoming and the plans He will fulfill for us. He watches our steps and brings us back into the right path when we stray from it. He isn’t constantly scanning the past and defining us by what we’ve done; His eye is on the present and future to draw us into His purposes and define us by who we are becoming. He sees His Son in us and is exceedingly pleased.

Knowing this simple truth is essential if we’re going to fulfill His purposes for us. It’s so basic that perhaps we feel we should move on to deeper truths, but what can be deeper than His Presence and constant care? In a world in which multitudes feel isolated and alienated, we have the permanent companionship of the most loving and powerful Being in the universe. Nothing could be more important and life shaping than that. Whatever difficulty we go through, He nevertheless holds us by the hand.

Father, I know You are with me and are holding my hand. I don’t always feel it—thank You when I do—but I depend on Your Presence anyway. Remind me often that Your eyes are on me and that You are working on my behalf.