Topic: God is Always with You [Joyce Meyer Devotional 20 December 2020]
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Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.— Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV)
A deep wound in the soul influences the way we think about ourselves, the way we perceive others, and the way we relate to God. When we’ve been deeply hurt, we can develop a poor self-image and fall into self-rejection. We may also feel that other people are rejecting us (even when they aren’t).
At times, we may tell ourselves that God is not interested in us or has forgotten about us. That is exactly what the enemy wants us to think, and it’s the opposite of how God really feels about us. God wants us to know that He loves us unconditionally—no matter how we’ve failed, no matter how much pain we’re in, no matter what other people have done to us or what we may have done to ourselves. We can always go to Him just as we are and not be afraid that He will judge, criticize, or reject us. We can count on Him to deal with us lovingly and mercifully.
The devil wants to use our pain to drive us away from God, but we should choose to let it drive us deeper into Him instead. The devil tries to tell us God is the source of our pain, but in reality, He’s the only one who can heal us. The Word of God never promises a pain-free life, or a life without disappointments and challenges, but it does guarantee that God is always with us (see Joshua 1:5), that He will never fail or forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5), that He fights our battles for us if we let Him (see 2 Chronicles 20:17), and that He will use our pain and difficulties for good (see Romans 8:28). I’ve said many times, “Your worst day with Jesus will be better than your best day without Him ever was!”
God spoke to His people through the prophet Isaiah, “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me” (see Isaiah 49:16). Think about this. If you were to write a note on your hand, you would see it often and that would keep it on your mind. God says He has engraved you on the palms of His hands. He cannot forget you. He will not forget you. No matter how the enemy tries to convince you that God doesn’t care about you, know that you could never get away from His love—He is always thinking of you (see Isaiah 49:16).
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for always being for me. Please help me remember that in every moment, especially when I’m hurting or feel forgotten, that You’re with me and are working things together for my good. In Jesus’ name, amen