Invisible and Invincible.
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NLT.
My thoughts and comments today are that, “God Is Our Refuge.”
There are times when God’s presence is not as recognizable as is His absence. Nothing fills the vacuum where He is not. His voice is not as eloquent as His silence. Who of us has not sought for a word from God, searched for a glimpse of His power, or yearned for the assurance of His presence, only to feel that at times He seems absent and silent?
Only later, we realize He was there all the time. The Bible describes Him as the One who fills the Heavens, yet at times seems invisible to us. Even when is He silent and invisible, He remains caring and invincible forever. Have you ever felt that God was distant? But is He? Why would He be?
Paul was clear and certain as he penned these majestic words, ”For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIV. In grace, God and you are inseparable.
However, unconfessed sin and unsurrendered guilt can confuse you to believe that you are unworthy, and God would neither desire nor permit your company. That is just not true. He loves you and desires fellowship with you. Let nothing cause or allow distance between you and God. Estrangement occurs when you allow separation to occur and continue.
Grace always provides a path of return and welcome. ”If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.” Read 1 John 1:8-10 NIV. The Psalmist declared, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.2 So we will not fear.” Read Psalm 46:1-3 NLT.
When I was a younger man, a dear friend arranged a day of white water rafting in beautiful Colorado. With blue Colorado skies above us and unimagined scenery surrounding us, I remember that most of the hours were fun and refreshing – except for the hours they weren’t! As the day continued, we encountered dark skies, strong winds, a chilling rainstorm, rocky rapids, treacherous currents, struggling to stay upright and afloat, until avoiding the protruding rocks took priority over every other consideration.
Life can change suddenly and feel uncertain, like those rushing rapids. In life, you will face distressing moments and frightening situations and that leave you unsure of what the outcome might be. In such times, you will ask, “Where will I find God in all of this.”
Weary from a long day of ministering to people’s disparate needs, Jesus said to the disciples, “Let’s go to the other side of the lake.” At Jesus’ word, the disciples started across the lake. After awhile Jesus was weary from the ministry times earlier in the day and fell asleep in the boat. After awhile and fearing for their safety, Peter somewhat rudely awakened Jesus, “Master, do you not care that we perish?”
The growing threat of the storm around them made them forget Jesus’ words to them. Jesus will always bring you safely to the other side despite the storm’s ferocity and your fear. Read Luke 8:22-25. In those times, even more distressing than the trouble itself, your feelings may suggest in the moment that God may seem uncaring or absent. Would He be? Could He be? Don’t panic. Don’t lash out at God. Don’t abandon everything you know about God’s character, power, and love.
And don’t give up on yourself. When life’s moments are troubling and uncertain, hold fast to the One Who is unshakeable and unchanging. There will be times when God’s presence is less noticed than His apparent absence, and His voice seems less eloquent than His silence.
Who of us has not longed for a word from God, or strained for a glimpse of His power, or yearned for reassurance of His presence, only to feel at that moment that God was nowhere to be found? In those moments, God seems absent. Silent. Distant. Disengaged.
Fear will suggest that maybe He is unconcerned. It is only later that you will realize how the Almighty God and Everlasting Father was alongside you all along the way. Though God is invisible to you, He remains invincible as Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
My prayer for you today is to know that God is with you in every circumstance.
EDL Communications 2019
Website and archives: allenrandolph.com
Facebook.com/everydaylife.allenrandolph