Meet my backyard squirrel and the obstacle he faces daily!
The world is facing a number of obstacles from which no one is exempt. Wildfires, hurricanes, and health crises (with baffling mandates galore here in California) have forced all of us to face the current challenges. These are big tests, but not bigger than God’s drive to see lives changed.
As women, we face the ultimate challenge of practicing our convictions, sharing with those in conflict and comforting those around us who are struggling with how to handle it all. Abraham’s life demonstrated that even the heathen around him recognized the difference between their lives and his. Gen. 21:22 Abimelech spoke to Abraham saying, “God is with you in all you do”! God told Gideon, “there is a might in you so powerful it can save Isreal, and that might is MY PRESENCE.”
The Isa. 43:1-5 verses confirm that when God’s presence abides on us, we can go through any fire, pass through any waters, through rivers that overflow us (Pucuro, in the jungles of Panama) and know His presence is all we need abiding in us. We are responsible to choose to “practice His presence”. As we do this, God will guide our steps, open doors of ministry, move obstacles, lift cares, remove fears and abide in us! “Fear not for I am with you” is the promise and comfort we all need to combat the steady barrage of disorder.
God’s abiding presence brings peace and victory. The presence of the Spirit-controlled life, directed and trusting only God, is the key to laying hold of the power of God. God attaches a condition to having His presence in our lives. It is useless to attempt any endeavor apart from God, which can only be maintained in our lives, as we choose to confess sin and not allow any unresolved relationship to hinder it!
“God works through holiness, not a dirty cup.”
Roy Heisson, Calvary Road
When the Isrealites were in the wilderness, God manifested His presence to them in a cloud. This cloud was a pledge. They never had to figure out their direction or future because their confidence was in that visible cloud of the Lord’s presence. Today, the cloud of God’s presence hovers over our secret closet of communion with Him through His word and prayer.
Peace is the prize and it will lead us, empower us, and keep us in harmony with God in every area of our lives, regardless of the turmoil. “The continual pursuit of God’s presence will direct us into a revelation of Christ’s glory. ‘God’s presence will go with us and He will give us rest.’” (Moses, Exodus 33:13)
Our guide through this perplexing maze is waiting
to give us that peace and rest.
Are you finding rest in Him these days?
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
