Always in Your Presence

Yet I was always in Your presence; You were holding me by my right hand. You will guide me by Your counsel and so You will lead me to glory. What else have I in heaven but You? Apart from You I want nothing on earth. My body and my heart faint for joy; God is my possession forever (Ps 73:23-26).

During the opening day ceremonies at Dodger Stadium a couple of weeks ago, Dodger greats from the past 50 years of the team’s history returned to the stadium, assumed their former positions on the field and were greeted with cheers and raucous applause from the 50,000+ fans in attendance. Don Newcombe, Steve Sax, Maury Wills, Steve Finley, Duke Snider, Don Miles, Sandy Koufax and of course, Fernando Valenzuela and Tommy Lasorda. And we can’t forget to mention the “voice of the Dodgers,” Vin Scully, humbly and dutifully providing the play-by-play up in the broadcast booth. In the Los Angeles Times the following day, one sports writer quoted former pitcher Jerry Reuss as saying, “There were grandfathers probably telling their sons about players they remember, and then those sons turning to their sons and talking about different players.”

We like to be in the presence of greatness. Reliving the accomplishments of the heroes of our past keeps us connected to the generations that came before and give us a great legacy to pass on to those who come after us. Celebrating their achievements somehow elevates all of us to a collective greatness that none of us could accomplish individually on our own.

The good news for us is that we are at every moment in the presence of Him who is greatness itself. Those Dodger players at opening day all indicated in one form or another that their accomplishments happened in the context of team work. Like them and like our biblical ancestors, we must remember that our accomplishments don’t come by our efforts alone. Not with their own swords did they conquer the land, nor did their own arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your own arm and the light of your face, for you loved them (Ps. 44:4). Too often, especially when things are going well, it is easy to be tempted into thinking at we can “take it from here” without seeking God’s will and counsel in prayer. I have found over the years that in response to just such thinking, the Lord will let me kind of fall on my face to remind me that He is in charge and that everything in my life is His gift.

We also have the example of the many saints who have come before us – the great cloud of witnesses (Heb. 12:1) - to encourage us on our journey. We never walk alone. Before and behind You beseige me, with Your hand ever upon me (Ps. 139: 5). A popular saying declares that "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." I say that when the going gets tough, the wise get praying. The strongest position we have is on our knees! For we know that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38). Hallelujah!

Prayer Request: For those feeling alone.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the wonder of Your presence from which we can never flee. We praise You for the assurance that those who love You can never be snatched from Your hand. Help us to remember, especially in the difficult times, that You are never far from us. Surround and comfort with Your presence those who are feeling alone and overwhelmed. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.