04/29/2018
As you move through your day do you feel as if God is there with you? As you work to obey and perfect the character of Jesus, can you sense Him inside you as well? Does the Holy Spirit speak to you of their closeness? Is your fear relieved at the very thought that they are with you now? These questions should guide you, and this one thought of closeness should change how you live your life today, causing you to refocus your priorities, and life.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
God is with us, not “was” with us, or “will be” with us, but “IS” with us. He is with us in the present tense, and what’s more He is here to help us. So what is the righteous right hand of God? In fact, it is Jesus Christ; Jesus stands at the right hand of God. If seeing is believing then listen, because though we have read this before, Stephen sees Him there as the crowd is stoning him to death, this is what the Holy Spirit revealed to him....
“But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."”
Acts 7:55-56 ESV
So as we go about our day, God is with us always, and Jesus is with us as well; standing at His right hand. Jesus reaffirmed His presence to us in scripture while giving instructions and saying...
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."”
Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
Jesus is here to save us, and to help us; He tells us to obey Him, and then commands us to go out in the world making disciples, but He does one more thing... He promises us that we will also be with Him beyond this life. We are given more than just hope for the present, and for the duration of our lives, we are given a promise of eternity...
“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:4 ESV
So now, as you realize that you are not alone, and that you are in the constant audience of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit... does it change how you approach your day? Does understanding that you aren’t walking in and out of the divine presence change your perspective on obedience? How about their companionship, does it make you more inclined to seek righteousness? If the thought of all this, and the accountability it brings you to realize, causes you to tremble at the current state of your life, take heart, for everything is not lost... The Holy Spirit is moving right now to impart the truth of Jesus Christ to you, Jesus Himself is preparing to move from being with you to in you, and God, who has been patiently waiting for this very moment is extending His grace, and forgiveness, to you. This is not a day of defeat, it is a day of atonement, victory, and celebration!
Today is not the first day of the rest of your life... that honor is given to your very next breath. Are you ready to change who you are? Jesus is right here, right now, and is waiting for you to inhale Him; to allow Him to introduce you to your Father, and change who you are by breathing onto you the Holy Spirit. Take the breath of life He offers, take eternal life... then take it new with every breath from this moment on.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being with me always. Thank you for reminding me each morning that I enter into this new day in your presence, and remain new with you all the day long. Help me Father as I go about doing your will, and living this life, remind me that you are watching over me, and that your Son Jesus is holding me as your right hand. Let me feel your presence in each breath I take, and weigh all my actions knowing that I hold your hand as I prepare to go forward in these things that I do. Keep me from all evil Holy Father, and let no temptation be strong enough that I might contemplate loosing your hand to pursue it. Teach me Holy Spirit to be strong in the face of all fear and temptation, show me the life of Jesus as my model, his blood as the ointment of my salvation, and in each breath let me smell the aroma, and incense, of His sacrifice. In each sip of wine reveal to me the sweetness of His blood that was shed, and satisfy my hunger with the bread of His table, the flesh of His sanctification. I cherish you in my life Father, and find joy, peace, and rest in your house as your child. Greet me each morning, and bless me as I am able to look into your face across the table. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, my Father, and my Constant Companion... be with me this day, and all days.
Rich Forbes