Job 23:8-13: "But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to this way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases.
I started with that verse because I think it is a great representation of our daily lives. It sometimes feels like where ever we look we can't find God or cannot see him. Obviously I don't think anyone in recent times has actually physically seen him. If you have I would love to meet you. Realistically though, we get so caught up and so busy in the midst of our lives that God doesn't seem like he is there. Be encouraged though, he knows the path that we are on and the way that we take. I encourage you to closely follow his steps, and to keep his way without turning aside. Do your best to not depart the commands of his lips and to treasure God's words more than your daily bread. Treasure God's word more than anything in your life. I cannot stress the important of God's word enough to you.
It might be a little difficult for you to feel God's presence sometimes, but if you continue to seek him daily and live for him, he will make his presence known. This is something I have noticed in my life the past couple of weeks. God's presence is so real and present during every single moment of my life. I am not saying I have it all together because I certainly do not, but if you preserve in your faith and build some awesome habits you will feel the presence of God in every decision you make and in nearly everything you say. I think that before the spiritual discipline takes place in your life that you will definitely feel this way at some points but I don't think that it will be entirely consistent. It's never entirely consistent for anybody because we are always being deceived and tested every day. As the spiritual habits become a daily routine I think you will feel his presence even more. God has been so good to me and has blessed me with the strength to be disciplined in many aspects of my life and today I can testify that I have never felt God's presence more in the midst of every day life than I have now. My friends, I hope and pray that you can get to that consistent point. I cannot describe how good it feels.
I mentioned preserving in faith in the last paragraph, so how exactly do you do that?
Hebrews 10:22-27 tells us and encourages us: let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one other-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we deliberately keep on sinning after were have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only be fearful of judgement and of rating fire that will consume the enemies of God.
I believe that one of the keys to perseverance is confidence. We cannot every throw away our confidence because it will be richly rewarded someday.
Hebrews 10:36-39 says: You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, "In just as little while, he who is coming will come and not delay." And, "But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back." But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
Next time you are in a dark place, don't let that silence you. Have faith, have confidence and preserve through it all. God is always there and He is always present. We just have to remember that and fight through what we are going through. Don't be silenced...silence the enemy by seeking God and his presence. We will be rewarded because of our confidence in him.
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