Topic: On Your Best Day and Your Worst Day, God Is with You [RICK WARREN Devotional 8 March 2020]
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“The LORD is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope.”
(Psalm 34:18 GNT)Life is filled with unexpected circumstances. Some of these knock you flat on your back. They make it feel like the roof of your life has caved in.
What do you do when your world collapses? When the dreaded phone call comes? When the divorce papers arrive? When the bankruptcy is filed?
The first question most people ask is, “Who cares?”
After Jesus was killed, his disciples met together but locked the doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders who had sent Jesus to the cross. The disciples felt like they were alone, and because of that, they were afraid and expected the worst.
But then something happened that changed everything: “Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord” (John 20:19-20 NIV).
The difference was immediate. The presence of Christ turned their panic into a party, their fear into good cheer.
During every moment of your life, from the very best to the very worst, God is with you. He cares for you. You will never walk through something hard alone. In fact, God is never closer than when you are in pain.
He tells you, “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2 TLB).
Are you hurting today? Are you asking, “Who cares about me?” Are you afraid that no one does? You can rest more easily today knowing that God cares. He has never left you. He is with you now. He has been with you all along. You are not alone.
- When have you felt like the roof of your life was caving in? How did you experience God’s presence?
- When is it easy for you to feel God’s presence? When is it more difficult?
- Who do you know who seems to live with an awareness of God’s presence? What qualities and habits characterize their lives?