Draw Near to the Lord Who is with You
Over the past month I have
unexpectedly crossed paths with a couple of individuals I had not seen in many
years. Both of them were moms whose children went to school with our kids. So
during these brief encounters, we quickly caught up with the latest news on
where our children are, what they are doing, and how many grandchildren we
have. It was nice to reconnect with these people with whom we share a special
bond. I suppose it goes back to all the significant moments we experienced
together through school activities, sporting events, band concerts, and scout
meetings. It was a combination of the amount of time we spent together in those
days and the support we found in each other as we traversed through those busy,
turbulent school years as parents.
Shared experiences, especially if those events
are significant or difficult, tend to create special connections with people.
Hopefully, we within the church find such relationships with our fellow
followers of Jesus. We should be there to encourage, support, and pray for one
another as we go through all the learning experiences in the school of life. It
is those who stand with us and by us at the times of greatest joy and the
moments of deepest sorrow who tend to mean the most to us. A bond is formed
that can stay with us forever.
However, the greatest connection we
should experience is with the Lord Himself. He is always there with us, even
when no one else can be. He can comfort us in ways no human being can. He is
more faithful than even our best of friends. And He loves us and cares about us
more than our dearest family member.
Nevertheless, this connection
doesn’t just automatically happen simply because the Lord is present. We have
to cultivate that closeness. It isn’t just about being together as we go
through the ups and downs of life, but about talking to Him, leaning on Him,
listening to His guidance, and watching how He works all things out for our
good and to accomplish His purposes. It isn’t only that we share the same
experience, but that we fellowship together as we do so. We need to read God’s
Word, seek to understand His will, and hold onto His promises. We need to pray,
sharing our concerns with the Lord, receiving His wisdom, and thanking Him for
what He does.
Jesus compared His relationship
with us to that of a shepherd with his sheep (John 10). When we look at what He
says about it, as well as remember the familiar 23rd Psalm, we see
that it goes further than simply the shepherd being there. He has built a
relationship with his sheep through leading them to good pastures, taking care
of their needs, and protecting them from harm. He knows his sheep by name and
they recognize the familiar voice of their shepherd. They have developed a
special bond not only through their shared experiences but by how they
interacted in those times.
It is wonderful that the Lord promises to be with us, to never leave us
nor forsake us. But let’s do more than sense His presence. Look to Him for the
strength and comfort you need to endure those times. Draw close to Him and
experience the fulfillment of His promise that He will draw close to you.
Submit to the guidance of your Shepherd. Trust Him to take care of you. Be
faithful to follow Him, even if you can’t see where He is leading. If you go
through life together in such a relationship, it will be difficult for anything
to come between you and your Lord or to diminish your devotion to Him.
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