The Presence of the Lord

(Written in 2019 when a massive flood inundated our home – aerial view above)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

Psalm 46:1-3

Our property flooded this year.  That is just part of the deal when you live on a river – they flood occasionally (our river floods roughly .003% of the time – I did the math).  That is why I have always said that if big water bothers you, then river life is probably not for you.  Rivers flood – that is just one of the things that they do.  Life can be like a river.  Much of the time life is great, but sometimes it can overwhelm us as well, just like a river overrunning its banks and covering the land adjoining it.  During the flood this year, I experienced the presence of the Lord like I have never experienced it before.

When the river we live on floods, it draws us together as a family.  My sons and their friends come flocking in to help, and together we prepare for the rising water.  Even some of my friends came out for the adventure this time.  We have an amazing time.  We have food brought in each day, and the fellowship is incredible.  At the end of each day we gather in chairs on the riverbank, resting and watching the swift current go by, enjoying the beautiful sunset, listening to music usually, etc.  One word sums up how I felt at the end of each day – Joy.  And it wasn’t just me.  Everyone was feeling it.  God’s joy was overwhelmingly present during the entire time, to the point that we were all noticing it.  It was simply amazing.  His presence was palpable.

Psalm 46 tells us that God is present when we go through difficult times.  And He is not just present a little bit, but it says He is “very present”.  I have read this verse many times, but for the last week and a half I lived it.  And all I can say is “Wow”!  I was simply blown away by his presence.  The Bible tells us that God is always with us (“Lo, I am with you always” Matthew 28:20b), but when trouble shows up, so does God, in new and unexpected ways.  And when God is present, regardless of whatever we are going through, life just takes on a different color.  There is joy rather than fear.  He is our refuge and our strength.

This is very hard to put into words.  It is like trying to describe music or color.  But just know that whatever life throws at us, God is there, present, very present, going through it with us, whether we feel it or not.  We are not alone.  He can be our strength.  He can be our refuge.  If only we will let Him.

What are the floods in your life today?  Are you being overwhelmed at work perhaps?  Is your marriage or a relationship overwhelming you?  Are you inundated with bills?  Are your children out of control?  Does the future seem like it is going to sweep you away?  What are you being carried away by today?  What is creating fear and anxiety in your life?  Whatever it is, this is the flooding river in your life right now.  You can give in to the fear, and let it rule you, or you can turn to God, and invite His presence into your life, into whatever situation is overwhelming you.  Ask God to reveal Himself to you in the flood.  Ask Him to be a very present help in your time of trouble.  And He will.

Lord God Almighty, I come before You in Jesus name, and confess that I often look to things other than You in my times of trouble.  Teach me to look to You when life overwhelms me.  Show me how to make You my strength and my refuge. I choose today to put my trust in You.  I trust that You are in control of my life and the circumstances I am in today.  Show me the way through this flood.  Reveal Your hand to me, that I may more clearly see Your purpose in the flood that surrounds me.  Open my eyes that I may see You.  Fill me with Your joy and Your peace which surpasses comprehension.  I will trust in You, in all that I do, and will follow You all the days of my life, regardless of where that road may take me.  Comfort those around me, who are looking at the flood rather than looking to You.  Help them to fix their gaze upon You.  Be our strength and our refuge.  I pray this in Jesus name, amen.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

Matthew 7:24-27