In His Presence

SOAKING

Soaking In His Presence is what I needed. I started getting sick and went to soak in a hot bath, worrying it might be the Coronavirus. Playing worship music while praying helped me relax. I sensed God calling me to silence, as though I could hear Him say, shh, I want you to spend this time soaking in My Presence.

A CRY FOR HELP

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.  From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.  I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.  Increase the days of the king’s life, his years for many generations.  May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.  Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day. Psalms 61

When I finished, my body felt weighted as though I had soaked up all the water in the tub. I continued to experience the same feeling until the song Forever Amen by Steffany Gretzinger began to play. At that moment, while spending time In His Presence the Lord revealed what the weightiness was. He wanted me to know in some small measure what He is carrying right now, how God is sad and burdened by loss and loneliness, striving, anxiety, moreover, He is bearing our hurt and pain. 

FEELING THE LOSSES

As I prayed, I thought about what God must be feeling for humanity right now. It made me realize how He simply wants us to recognize what He is carrying and praise Him for it. He is bearing our burdens of lost lives, lost jobs, and lost freedom, which is all part of His plan. Jesus gave His life as a ransom for ours so we could have that freedom. But,  the sadness comes when we don’t recognize it, and take this moment in history seriously, when we don’t step back and allow ourselves to REST IN HIM or reach out to Him with our pain but push Him away instead.

Most of all, God is heartbroken by every life lost without Him because He loves us. He wants us to know it’s time when we are ready. Go and listen to “Forever Amen” if you need help finding your way there. It is a breathtaking song that expresses what God wants us to feel about Him. I will be praying you will take this time to soak In His Presence and say yes to spend time with Him so you can find real rest.