The Lord's Presence

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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To have a deepened appreciation and a keener sense of the Lord’s presence makes any trial worthwhile. It has been well said, “Sometimes the Master puts us down so that we can look up.” And another has stated, “It is worth being sick just to know that the Lord is by your bedside.”
Due to recent events in my life I have come to appreciate in a fuller way two statements made by the Lord Jesus concerning His presence with us:
1. “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:2020Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20)).
2. “He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:55Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)).
Alone at night in a hospital ward, unable to move or to sleep, you learn what it is to have the Lord with you in a very practical and real way. Although different from the situation that the Apostle Paul was in, I felt the truth of his words, “The Lord stood with me, and strengthened me” (2 Timothy 4:1717Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (2 Timothy 4:17)).
No doubt David experienced this when alone on the hillside tending sheep, running for his life, forsaken by friends and family, or alone and sleepless within the palace walls. He could say of those times: “My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches” (Psalm 63:5-65My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: 6When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. (Psalm 63:5‑6)).
With us in sickness, and trial, and pain,
Never to leave us, in sunshine or rain;
Always and ever, with us all the way,
Guiding us safely by night and by day.
His hand in mine, and His presence so near,
Nothing is wanting, and nothing I fear;
Jesus, so gently and lovingly leads,
Knowing my thoughts and supplying my needs.