“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.”-Psalm 139:7–10
The evangelist D. L. Moody told of talking to an elderly Christian man. After serving the Lord for many years, his faith was shaken by a series of difficulties with his finances and his health. He described beginning to doubt God’s love for him, and eventually wondering whether he was even a Christian. Then he told Moody, “I began to think what I would do if I ended up in Hell. My first thought was that I would start a prayer meeting—and after that I didn’t worry about being lost any more!”
No one who has trusted Christ and received His free gift of salvation can ever lose it. Jesus said, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:28–29). There may be times when our fellowship is broken by something we have done or failed to do, but our relationship never changes.
Yet many Christians do not live with the comforting presence of God as a daily reality. They do not draw strength from His Word and do not seek His face in prayer. They do not listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit or fellowship with other believers around the things of God. That is a very painful way to live, because it forfeits so much peace and comfort that God offers His children. If your confidence is based on God’s presence rather than circumstances, you will experience peace. (Daily in the Word)
I’m glad to know that when I look up to God for help in a time of need He is looking down at me with total awareness of my situation. But I am even happier to know that He is with me and able to deliver me. That provides me with peace regardless of the problem. -HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
