“The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  Selah” Psalm 46:11 ESV

Four-year-old Nathan tugged at my blouse and whined, “Mommy, I’m all alone…”  His older brother had gone to an amusement park for the day with his friends.  I stroked my child’s soft baby face and looked straight into his saddened eyes and replied, “You are not alone; I am with you.”  Isn’t it true that you and I act like this when we fret or grow discontent?  It’s like complaining to God, “Father, I’m all alone…” When he is right by our side whispering, “You are not alone dear child; I am with you.”

The Lord of hosts never leaves his children to fend for themselves.  “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7)  Jesus is truly all we need to cling to when we feel entrapped by darkness and emptiness. “He has promised to never abandon us.  This promise is the ground for our contentment.  In every need, remember He will not abandon you.  In every circumstance, take courage and be strong, knowing your good Savior will never forsake you.” (Learning Contentment, Nancy Wilson)  If we are genuinely His, our loving Father has not only sent Christ to die for us and is now seated at the right hand of God making intercession on our behalf, he has also sent His Spirit to live inside of us. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16)  Furthermore, He promises to be with us till the very end. “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

In certain seasons of life, we may feel utterly alone… it may be that we are single; or that our loved one, closest friend or spouse is busier, taken a business trip, grown distance or moved away.  Whatever the reason for our loneliness, God wants to come into it by having us abide in Him.  He may want to shake us silly in order to get our attention sometimes.  Sadly, at times only the kind of trials that do shake our world are what finally gets our attention.  It is during these times of adversity that we are driven to our knees to seek His presence, while it was with us all along.  It is WE who turn our face away from seeing His constant blessings.  God is so gracious and answers us when we turn to him for deliverance.  “The recourses of the Almighty are infinite.  He is the Lord of hosts, He commands and the starts fight his battles.  He sends legions of angels where he will, and one angel destroys in one night an army of one hundred and eighty-five thousand men.  All plagues and storms and earthquakes, all cause and all effects, are under his control.” (Studies in the Book of Psalms)

Heavenly Father, omnipresent and unchanging God.  Thank you that your love follows us wherever we go.  May it not take trials and tribulation to have us learn to lean on you and acknowledge you’re ever helping presence in every aspect of our lives.  When all is well, may we never forget it’s because you are with us.  When life is hard, help us remember that you are our defender and will in time send forth deliverance because you go with us.  In all things may we praise your lofty name.