Experiencing God's Presence #46

Experiencing God's Presence #46

You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.

Psalm 139:3-4

Where was God? That’s the question we often ask when we find ourselves in a predicament—even a self-inflicted one. We expect a certain amount of protection from danger in our circumstances and our relationships. When our path has taken excruciating turns and we end up in extreme hardship or pain, we wonder why we weren’t better protected. Even when we know the blame is ours, we wish, for the sake of ourselves and others, that we had been spared from our own decisions.

The good news is that God was present in every twist and turn we made. He knew them ahead of time. If He gave a promise or a calling and we think we blew it, we can remind ourselves that He already accounted for our missteps when He promised or called. Our faults were considered in advance, and He chose, called, and promised anyway. He who sees both the beginning and end simultaneously did not make a mistake.

Consider Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, whose God-given dreams landed him in slavery and prison. Over many long years, he had limitless opportunities to second-guess himself, his family, and his God. Yet God had already seen the process up front. His calling proved true. Nothing could thwart it.

Nothing, apart from unbelief and rebellion, can thwart your calling either. The God who is so intimately present in your life that He knows every thought—ahead of time—will get you where you need to be. No matter how many wrong turns you think you’ve taken, He knows where you are and where you’re going. You are not outside of His path or His process. Pursue Him, and He will determine your path.

Lord, You know my past, my present, and my future. Am I on the right track? Have I missed Your plan? You have always known I would be right here, right now. And I trust You will continue to lead me forward.