“Where can I flee from Your presence?”

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Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. —  Joshua 1:9

“That’s a great idea–I would have never thought of that!” A young Army wife shared with me something she had done to help prepare her family for her husband’s upcoming deployment. Before her husband left for Iraq she had taken a picture of him with their children in each room of the house, and then framed them for displaying. The house was filled with Dad’s presence—reminders of times when they were together. This wife knew that in the days and months ahead there would be moments when both she and the kids would wonder–is he really real? He feels so far away–he is so far away! But the pictures were there to bring back the memories of his presence in their everyday lives.

Are there times when you wonder if God is real? Pause to consider His presence in your life. I believe that the psalmist was expressing just that when He wrote:

“Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, You are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.” — Psalm 139:7-10

It is His Word, His people, His creation, His faithfulness in our circumstances, His guiding hand, His Holy Spirit filling us that remind us of His presence! Just as this precious family in Texas is aware of Dad’s presence in their home, we can be reminded of God’s presence in our hearts and receive comfort and strength when we are in lonely times.

Read the story of Jacob’s dream at Bethel in Genesis 28:10-22. The LORD reminds Jacob in this dream of His promises and the covenant in Genesis 12:2-3. Jacob awakes and his thought is of God’s presence: “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” What place are you in right now? Have you wondered if the LORD is with you, and you are not aware of it? He promises in Joshua 1:5, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” The truth is, if you are His child, you are never alone no matter where you are. And you have His Word on that!

Questions to share with each other:

1. How does the writer encourage you in Psalm 139?

2. How is God ministering to you during this deployment?