God’s presence is real, and he showed up yesterday in a very tangible way.

Out of respect for a friend I won’t mention specifics but I had suspected for weeks someone close to me was struggling, but they wouldn’t admit it and I couldn’t prove it. I prayed early yesterday morning for God to allow this person to get caught and hours later I had proof in hand and was able to go from there. The amazing thing is I wasn’t seeking out the proof, it just kind of landed at my feet.

Even though my fears were confirmed, God heard and answered my prayer. That gives me real hope that he will see my friend through this struggle and bring them to a place of peace, purpose, and stability. I am praying hard.

Whenever life gets shaky, and I realize that I control approximately .01% of what happens in the world, I need to know that God is with me and I don’t have to fear.

One passage in Scripture that I find comfort in during unsettling times is Psalm 91. It is a prayer of faith in God’s ability and promise to protect his children whenever they seek shelter in him:

“Almost 100 years ago, during World War I, the 91st Infantry Brigade of the U. S. Expeditionary Army was preparing to enter combat in Europe. Because their commander was a devout Christian, he assembled his men and gave each of them a little card on which was printed the 91st Psalm, the same number Psalm as their brigade. They agreed to recite that Psalm daily. After they had begun praying the Psalm, the 91st Brigade was engaged in three of the bloodiest battles of World War I – Chateau Thierry, Belle Wood and the Argonne. Other American units that fought in the same battles had up to 90 percent casualties, but the 91st Brigade did not suffer a single combat-related casualty.”- vfw.org

Pretty cool, right?

I need the reminder of how powerful God is..so powerful that even his Word has the ability to break down the enemy’s plan of attack.

All throughout Scripture God commands his children “Do not fear”. That doesn’t mean that bad stuff isn’t coming..it is. Without a doubt. We don’t need to fear because we are in “the shadow of the Almighty”.

I picture a wimpy kid being picked on by a bully, and suddenly the bully gets a terrified look on his face, mumbles an incoherent apology, and runs away. The wimp feels a little pleased with himself and flexes a little, thinking that one push up he did yesterday must have really paid off, but when he looks over his shoulder he sees his strong, powerful dad standing behind him, arms crossed, muscles bulging.

In our own strength, we are helpless to stand against the enemy, but with our Father, we have every confidence of victory over people and circumstances that want to take us down.

It is everything to know that we are not alone.

I need Him.

Ang