A few years ago, we planted two blackberry bushes in our backyard. Since he didn’t quite understand the concept of “ripeness,” my two-year-old son often walked to the plot and picked off a green or yellow berry, only to drop it with disappointment into the soil. “You can’t pick them when they’re green,” I told him. “They need to stay on the vine.”
God’s presence is a mysterious concept. At times, I’ve felt His closeness like a breath on my cheek. Other times, I’ve had to trust that His nearness is truth—regardless of my emotions or circumstances. If I trust Jesus, then I must take Him at His Word, and He tells me over and over again through Scripture that He will not leave me behind, He will always be present, and even when He is not physically present, the Holy Spirit will stand in the gap. God’s presence in my life is like the nutrients that move from soil through the vine into an unripe raspberry. Cut off from the source, nothing blooms. Cut off from His presence, I will be nothing but wasted potential.
Often, I can be tricked into believing that in order for me to experience God’s presence, I need a plush upholstered chair, a window that emits plentiful natural light, a cup of just-brewed coffee, a journal, and a good pen. Silence. But God is present with me, even when I am not aware of Him. And if God is always with me, then He is with me in the chaos of the day, just as much as He is in the precious moments of morning quiet. In the Great Commission, Jesus is sending His closest friends into oppositional territory, to places where they will be persecuted, hunted, and ultimately, killed. And despite that terrifying reality, Jesus promises them: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).
Jesus is with you too—today, yesterday, and forever. No matter what you’re facing. No matter the sorrow, past or present, He is here—grieving with us, celebrating with us, growing and filling us with His Spirit, and helping us take steps forward with hope.
There is no check-list of calm or solitude required for God’s presence to attend to your weary soul. He is here now. He is with you, always. His presence flows into your heart, whether you feel it or not, whether you see it or not. All you must do is stay on the vine.
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20 thoughts on "God’s Presence Is with Us Always"
I’m staying on the vine. I don’t want to be any where else! AND if I try to get off, I have my faithful godly friends and of course the prompting of the Holy Spirit to remind me to “stay-on” no matter my circumstances. Happy Thursday sweet She’s. I’m a little under the weather and would appreciate prayer. I can’t miss work! Thankfully I slept well and ready for the day.
VICTORIA E — Yay, Praise Jesus!! Continued prayers
♥️
Thank you ladies for your prayers! I’m behind this week and will go back Saturday to read. My dad’s surgeon is pleased. He said my dad had a lot of scar tissue, so it was a longer surgery and he couldn’t do some of the procedure he wanted to do. We got back to my parents’ late yesterday afternoon. My dad will need to rest, which isn’t an easy thing for him. Pray for him as he recovers and deals with the pain.
DANIELLE B – How did your dad’s surgery go?
SHARON, JERSEY GIRL – How is your hip/back pain?
MERCY – How is your husband doing?
SEARCHING – Praying for Shannon and her family now other health issues have come up. May God give wisdom and healing. Continued prayers for your relative, for patience, and God’s guidance in this process.
SARAH D. – Praying for endurance and energy to complete your assignment and other work. Praying for patience in the waiting.
JULIA KIEFER – Praying for God’s guidance and provision in finding a new job.
VICTORIA E – Praising God with you!
MIA FAITH – ❤️
CEE GEE – Keep sharing those beautiful songs! ❤️
TRACI GEDRON – I hope you had a good night of sleep ❤️
“In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.”
— Ephesians 1:13-14
Dear Father,
Thank You for the inheritance that You left us: Your presence, Your power, and Your peace through the Holy Spirit.
You are with us always, in everything we do: You protect us, You guide us, You comfort us, You empower us, You change us. Like the disciples (Matthew 28:17) I sometimes have mixed feelings about this: I want to jump out of joy but at the same time I hesitate, thinking: Isn’t this too good to be true?
But the power, the authority, is Yours (Matthew 28:18). Therefore You can send imperfect people to work *for* You and *with* You. We are changed by Your love for us —shown in the life, death, and resurrection of Your Son Jesus. He is the source of our obedience. May the outcome of our obedience be love for You and others (John 14:15).
In this life, troubles will come. But You gave us your shalom, your peace (John 14:27). The world tells us to not think too much, to avoid, to forget, to ignore, to escape in order to find peace. But Your peace comes from remembering You, turning our eyes upon You, and thinking about You. We can have an untroubled heart in a troubled life because we know You.
Help us to stay in Your presence.
Help us to rely on Your power.
Help us to rest in Your peace: a trusting love in You, our God and Father.
In Jesus’ name,
AMEN.
Good morning everyone, I would love your prayers. I have been feeling dizzy at school recently, normally mid morning, and it has just made the days harder this week. I am also working on a big assignment for my online class, and it has been taking awhile to finish (unfortunately it is late, but thankfully they don’t take off too many points). We have one month left of school in Pre-K, prayers appreciated for endurance and energy. I will be working over the summer too, so that will be an interesting transition. Also would love continued prayers for my “friend” from church. The more I’ve thought about it, the more I can see how he has been interested in me…I will see him Saturday at our young adults game night, so I’m excited for that. Waiting is hard! Try ing to lean into what the Lord is teaching me. Thank you all! Praying for requests as I see them too
He abides in us! Hallelujah!
VICTORIA E – praise for the answered prayers regarding your job!
Praying we all have a blessed day.