Originally published Sunday, 19 April 2015.
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:5-6 (ESV)
I had a stomach bug recently. Just one of those 12-hour bugs. The kind that sees your body violently revolt against itself and leaves you wondering if you'll keep even the smallest water biscuit down.
During those hours I requested a bucket to be bought to lie next to me in case I couldn't make it to the bathroom in time.
Strangely enough these hours of feeling awful and desperate and in need of a bucket is what I think of as I read this verse.
It's not a pretty analogy but much of the gospel isn't clean and neat and Sunday school friendly. And to be honest neither are most of our lives.
This verse makes me want to say God is like that puke bucket: right at hand in times of trouble.
God is not far off (like the bathroom) or unreachable.
God is present. He is near and he's all you need.
God is right there. Just stretch out your arm and you'll find him.
No matter what kind of tough you're going through God is at hand. (tweet this)
Not only that but God says to tell him what you need when you are anxious about anything.
So today no matter how rough life is feeling or how tough you are finding it to get through the day remember that the Lord is at hand and ask him for what you need to get you through.
Ponder: When you are anxious do you remember that God is at hand?
Prayer: Lord, sometimes I forget you are near. Today I need to feel you sticking close to me. Thank you that with you I can get through the hard things I am facing right now.
{Share this post}
You can share this devotional on twitter by clicking here. I’d also love for you to connect with me on my Facebook and twitter pages or if you're viewing this via email you can leave a comment by clicking here.
Get a copy of my e-book Life, Life and More Life for free. Just subscribe to receive my devotionals every Monday and Friday. In the book I share some of thoughts on how to make every moment count, gleaned from my experiences of loving my husband through 18 sessions of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. You can subscribe here
- This was orginally published on my site in February 2014. To read more devotionals like this go to ilovedevotionals.com
SHARE
