His Presence, Your Peace
by Debbie Kenyon with Erin Burzda
InterAct missionary Debbie Kenyon recently shared this brief devotional with her supporters. She and her husband, Dale, serve First Nations people in Alberta. It has been reposted with her permission.
Have you ever experienced deep loneliness and wondered, where is God? Have you felt that there is no one to share your heart with—no one who truly understands who you are? Perhaps it seems like friends and family are distant or nearly non-existent, and you’re not sure where to turn for solace, understanding, advice or fellowship. No matter how hard you try to connect, there still seems to be something or someone missing in your life.
Most people, including Christ-followers, have experienced lean times of aloneness at some point. Yet, God is always faithful to enter into our loneliness when we cry out to Him. All through scripture, the Lord calls us to come to Him. As King David said in Psalm 145:18, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Jesus is where He’s always been—right beside us, even though we may not feel like He’s there. “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He desires an intimate relationship with us. God longs to hear the truth of everything that is on our hearts.
There have been multiple times in my life I’ve felt alone, misunderstood, broken, miserable, wondering how God could love me, forgive me, use me. I didn’t know where He was, and I asked if He cared. Now I know He does, but it’s how I felt at the moment. I needed His perspective on the situation, which makes all the difference. Telling Him about the promises He gave in His Word and singing a song in worship was where I found help.
The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We need to recognize God’s presence even in our lonely times. We’re never truly alone. Prayer, praise, and meditation on His Word help us experience His presence. We can talk to Him anytime, anywhere, anyplace, and He understands how we feel when we tell Him we feel empty, hurt, and our hearts are breaking.
Again David said in the Psalms, “Where can I flee from your presence?” Nowhere. We will never be in a place where God isn’t. God will comfort us, and we will have the opportunity to know Him better. In our times of loneliness, we need to recognize God’s presence.
Most people, including Christ-followers, have experienced lean times of aloneness at some point. Yet, God is always faithful to enter into our loneliness when we cry out to Him. All through scripture, the Lord calls us to come to Him. As King David said in Psalm 145:18, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Jesus is where He’s always been—right beside us, even though we may not feel like He’s there. “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He desires an intimate relationship with us. God longs to hear the truth of everything that is on our hearts.
There have been multiple times in my life I’ve felt alone, misunderstood, broken, miserable, wondering how God could love me, forgive me, use me. I didn’t know where He was, and I asked if He cared. Now I know He does, but it’s how I felt at the moment. I needed His perspective on the situation, which makes all the difference. Telling Him about the promises He gave in His Word and singing a song in worship was where I found help.
The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We need to recognize God’s presence even in our lonely times. We’re never truly alone. Prayer, praise, and meditation on His Word help us experience His presence. We can talk to Him anytime, anywhere, anyplace, and He understands how we feel when we tell Him we feel empty, hurt, and our hearts are breaking.
Again David said in the Psalms, “Where can I flee from your presence?” Nowhere. We will never be in a place where God isn’t. God will comfort us, and we will have the opportunity to know Him better. In our times of loneliness, we need to recognize God’s presence.