9-24-20 THOUGHTS

The FACT that God is PRESENT in every moment at all times is different from MY KNOWING that HE IS PRESENT.  There is a tragedy in every man who does not know God!  There’s maybe a greater tragedy in the one who claims to know God and really doesn’t!  
Job 42:5    "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You;”
God has just had a talk with Job.  It began in   Job 38:3-4   "Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! 4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,”   God then  peppers Job with questions far beyond Job’s comprehension.  A short section says...  (Job 38:8-12)   "Or who enclosed the sea with doors When, bursting forth, it went out from the womb; 9  When I made a cloud its garment And thick darkness its swaddling band, 10  And I placed boundaries on it And set a bolt and doors, 11  And I said, ‘Thus far you shall come, but no farther; And here shall your proud waves stop’? 12  "Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, And caused the dawn to know its place,”  

David helps us in the 139th Psalm:   7 “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8  If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9  If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10  Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. 11  If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night," 12  Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.”

Jer 23:23-24   "Am I a God who is near," declares the LORD, "And not a God far off?  24  "Can a man hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him?" declares the LORD. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the LORD.
Ps 139:23-24   Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24  And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
Ps 63:8    My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.
Ps 73:23   Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand.
Ps 143:10   Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
John 15:9-12    "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10  "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.  11  "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. 12  "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”
“Practice the PRESENCE OF GOD!”      (Brother Lawrence 1611-1691)

My Prayer:
Oh God, keep us ever in your presence.  May our minds be attuned to you with our every breath. Help our abiding in you to be real, causing our hearts to rejoice continually.  Make our spirits one with yours, and lead us on level ground.               In the name of Jesus    Amen