Experiencing God in the here and now
- A Follower
- May 12, 2020
- 3 min read
We continue to life in challenging times. Thankfully the number of deaths from COVID-19 appears to be reducing but there is still a long way to go before we can resume any sense of 'normality' in our lives. In the middle of these troubling times, how wonderful it is to know the comfort that is Emmanuel, 'God with us'. The dwelling place of God is with man.
The book of Revelation is not necessarily the easiest book in the bible to read, full of visions and strange imagery. However, if you take the time to read the book you will find that there is an underlying theme; the Sovereignty of God. Revelation is clear throughout that God is Sovereign; sovereign over the devil, sovereign in every situation, no matter how bad it seems at the time, and sovereign over all of history. Revelation tells us that God is victorious. The culmination of the book (chapters 21 and 22) tells us of the new heaven and new earth that God will create, a place where He will dwell with His people, a place where 'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more,neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore' (Rev 21:4).
These chapters paint a wonderful picture of the hope that we have to look forward to, a time and place where all things are new and all pain and suffering is done away with. However, whilst we are to anticipate the future we are also to enjoy the present. These chapters also look back to the promises God made thousands of years ago:
'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’ (Ex 19:5-6)
'And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. (Ex 25:8)
I will make my dwelling among you, ..... and I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people' (Lev 26:11-12)
'And behold,I am with you always, to the end of the age' (Mtt 28:20)
What wonderful promises; promises that not only speak of the wonderful time that is coming but also of the reality we can experience now. What a comfort it is to know that we are His people now and that His dwelling place is with us now. The Sovereign God is living and walking with us in these challenging times, walking with us through the difficult circumstances. He wants to remind us that we are His people and He is our God.
How will you respond?
Will you choose to believe the promises of God and take comfort in the reality of them now? Will you believe that He is Sovereign over this situation and trust Him? Or will you allow the situation to overwhelm you and miss out on the blessing He has for you here and now? There is a hope of a brighter future, a day with no pain or death, but God wants you to experience His presence with you today and each day. Will you trust Him?
Lord, thank you that you are Sovereign, help me to look to the future with anticipation but also to experience Your presence in the here and now.
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