His is a very near presence that we will know,
When we draw close to Him.
In a conversation with a friend who just recently finished several months of chemo sessions, she talked about the deep and intimate closeness to the Lord that she experienced while going through cancer treatment.
It reminded me of the very similar way I felt when my husband and I grieved in 1992 for our baby who only lived on this earth for two days. I told her that I literally felt like God’s arms were around me, holding me.
Both of our experiences were the evidence of every Bible verse on God’s comfort and every verse and teaching that He is always with us and we are never alone and that His grace is sufficient.
My friend and I agreed that we want that special closeness to continue even though we are not in those dark valleys anymore.
But we also admitted that even when life is “normal” we can still have a close and intimate relationship with the Lord as a result of intentionally pursuing Him and drawing near. We can experience His magnificent presence any day of the week when we genuinely seek Him.
It might not be the same as the uniquely powerful and comforting grace He provides in a valley or trial. Yet, every normal and ordinary day we still have the humbling honor to draw near and know His magnificent presence ever near to us.
James 4:8
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
By Kathy Cheek
used by permission