Closer Than You Realize!

 Our Heavenly Father, He is our source of delight. The Almighty is our true source for  everything.  Do you really consider carefully how close He is to you this day?  I believe in my heart of hearts that a major portion of our tears, (that He Himself will wipe away), will have derived as a result of  our coming to realize just how closely involved in our earthly affairs He (the Lord Himself), has always  been. 

Imagine for a moment if you will a day filled with turmoil and trial.  We have grappled and groped trying to find answers and solutions to our problems. Do you believe that the King of Kings is right in your midst?  Do you believe that the Lord will calm your storms if you trust in Him?  He will you know. Do you truly believe this?  He cares for His children and is always working on our behalf as we are His own. 

Now let us imagine as we stand before Him one day with our memories fully intact as our loving Savior rewinds a few episodes from our past earthly trials.  Would not the tears flow as we clearly see the involvement that our God had, even more than we could comprehend?  If He chose to show me them all, chances are I would never cease to cry until His gentle touch would tenderly wipe all of my tears away as I fall before His beautiful feet.

Jesus Christ is THE source. The TRUE source of everything that we find good and lovely! 

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Romans 8:32 Even the darkness around us serves a purpose, to help us see the stark contrast between good and evil if we dare to look close enough.  Consider Him also for a moment as the smile behind the face that lifted you from the sadness on a dreary day, or outstretched hand that appeared to lift you up when you were downcast.  Imagine seeing with all clarity on that day His deep involvement in ALL of these!!  Take another look at these verses from scripture;

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

He is in our midst.  As I have listened to some of the well intentioned pray, they’ve cried out for God to make Himself known, to make Himself real.  Could it be the problem is NOT that God isn’t doing a good enough job of revealing Himself to us, it is rather I believe WE who need to adjust OUR eyes and our ears to focus more on Him, that we may learn to practice His presence.  It is WE who need to understand just how real and involved our Lord is with us!  I would like to share a resource with you that you may find very encouraging.  There is an audio book available entitled; The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. Here is a snippet from the heart of this man;

"My most usual method is this simple attention, an affectionate regard for God to whom I find myself often attached with greater sweetness and delight than that of an infant at the mother's breast. To choose an expression, I would call this state the bosom of God, for the inexpressible sweetness which I taste and experience there." This is how "Brother Lawrence" describes his constant practice of speaking with and reflecting upon God amidst the mundane tasks of life.

If you would like to listen to this free audio you may find it here at Librivox
Upon the Lord’s return we will all be changed.  Death will surely be swallowed up in victory!  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (Hosea 13:14 KJV) Paul speaks of this awesome mystery:  "we will not sleep, but we shall all be changed." For those who will still be alive and not experience death, their bodies will be changed..  Paul says this will happen in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  Jesus tells us; 

"And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."  (John 6:39-40 KJV)

We should all have chills at this wondrous thought!  All of our greatest hopes and dreams given us by Christ will finally be realized!  The lover of our souls will draw us in so close and we shall finally see Him for who He is!  Take heart and look up, for your redemption draweth nigh, dear one! On that great and glorious day we will be reunited with our dearest friends and loved ones and we will finally see that it was worth it all.  No hardship here on this present earth will ever begin to compare to what awaits us!