Tucked In

Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you.

1 Chronicles 28:20

When Corrie ten Boom was a little girl, her father used to tuck her into bed at night. He talked and prayed with her, then laid his big hand on her little face. Later, when Corrie was imprisoned in a brutal concentration camp, she would ask God to tuck her in and lay His hand on her face. “That would bring me peace, and I would be able to sleep,” Corrie wrote in her book Each New Day.

One of our Lord’s names is Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” Our dads or moms may no longer be around to tuck us into bed, but our Emmanuel never leaves us. Sometimes it helps to envision Him riding beside us in the car, sitting by us in the pew at church, or leaning over us in bed as if to tuck us in. It’s not a matter of visualizing an imaginary person but of recognizing a Friend’s presence.

Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). So be strong and of good courage, and do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord God will be with you.

Jesus, thank You that because of Your constant presence, I am never alone. Hold my hand tightly, Lord. Although afflictions may torment me, they can never defeat me.

CORRIE TEN BOOM