On September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer was one of 44 people who were killed when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed after being hijacked by al-Qaeda terrorists.
Shortly after that tragic day, I remember listening to Todd’s young widow, Lisa Beamer, who said moving forward she would live carefully but not in fear. Though she had lost the husband she loved, Lisa refused to let terror rule over her heart and mind. Instead, she chose to trust in the God of peace and to believe He’s ultimately victorious over evil.
As one who’s often nearly paralyzed by fear (for example, I’m terrified of flying and consider bailing before every trip rather than getting on the plane), I’m continuing to learn how vital faith in Jesus is in overcoming my apprehension.
If you battle anxiety as I do, imagine how our lives would look if we truly grasped the truth expressed by David: “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me” (Psalm 16:8).
The psalmist “knew” the Lord was always with him. He was cognizant of a certain, living, faithful God. By placing his trust in the truth of who He is, David was able to rest in the reality that the Lord is in charge.
God wasn’t with the psalmist some of the time but all of the time, without exception and on every occasion! The same is true for you and me. With God “right beside” us, we can stand firm rather than allow circumstances, fear, and trials to rob us of peace and cause us to experience distress.
May we never forget what David said of God and His loving care: “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (Psalm 16:11). He’s always there.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 5:17-30
More:
Read Isaiah 58:11 and reflect on a hard time the Lord guided you through as He restored your strength.
Next:
Do you believe that the Lord is always with you? Why or why not? How can you experience His presence today?
ng on June 29, 2016 at 4:10 am
Thank you for this. I really needed it.
Gary Shultz on June 29, 2016 at 6:22 am
Roxanne, that last line in the next section is it for me, experiencing the presence of God. As you know God is and will be there; we seem to loose God in our daily shuffle of life. The even greater thing is unlike the Psalmist we now have access to God’s Spirit, not sometimes, but all the time. It is a daunting reminder, we drift, and a quick check shows our departure from enjoying all His presence brings to us. I try to keep a short rope on drifting. This may sound utterly ridiculous to you, but I like to picture the door in Rev. 3:20 and in my picture I remove the door from it’s hinges, no more door. Open access all the time, sometimes I say Lord come look at this, I drug mud in here again, I need to confess the mess so you can come in and be with me at any time and I with you. It may sound rather stupid, but the picture really keeps a clean, open house. Thanks Roxanne
gagirllive on June 29, 2016 at 7:51 am
Gary, I love your “open house” concept…hinges off the door and all. Not ridiculous in the least bit, brother.
gagirllive on June 29, 2016 at 7:48 am
Roxanne, this is one of the first promises that we learn as new Christians…and one that we will need to cling to for the rest of our lives. Emmanuel…God with us. Always. Thank you for this much needed reminder and encouragement today that we are NEVER alone. Grace and peace, friend.
bp968 on June 29, 2016 at 8:05 am
Roxanne, just remember that sometimes anxiety isn’t in your control. You can “know” that your 100% safe and you can know that nothing will happen and that its all in your head and you will *still* panic. Your heart rate will skyrocket, you’ll sweat and your mind will freak out. It’s a side effect of one of my medications (and I use yet another medication to “resolve” the panic attack) thankfully their not common for me. Some people are essentially disabled by them and it’s important for other Christians who are blessed enough to be healthy and who don’t have to deal with those issues to not judge and to try and be patient. If you’ve never experienced a panic attack or chronic pain it can be really easy to judge people as weak or foolish, I know I did before I learned about both issues the hard way!
So everyone, be patient and loving with others and be sure to say a prayer of thanks that you don’t “get it” or understand. Hopefully you guys never “understand” these ailments and live a life free of them. I can only guess at how debilitating it would be to have panic attacks from “normal” daily activities like shopping or trips to visit family like some people have.
al061016 on June 29, 2016 at 5:19 pm
Dear bp968, I can not “feel” your pain, but I can certainly “understand”. I pray the love of God fills your heart, cast out the fear in you (1 John 4:18), and brings you joy, peace, and hope (Romans 15:13).
envirotact on June 29, 2016 at 9:37 am
He is not “beside” us, but living in us….the Holy Spirit. That’s even closer than beside us!
hsnpoor on June 29, 2016 at 11:03 am
Actually, I would say He’s all around us, as well as within us; not within us to the exclusion of being before, behind, beside and all around us. Thank you Lord for your mighty power & presence going before me to order my steps according to your Word, for your Goodness & Mercy that follows me all the days of my life, for your creative order of nature that surrounds me giving life & breath to my senses of your mighty power, wisdom and ever faithful omnipresence. Let everything that hath breath, PRAISE THE LORD!
godlove on June 29, 2016 at 11:30 am
Thank you for the reminder that God is always with us, Roxanne. This is particularly true when we are blessed to have the gift of His Spirit in us. How blessed we are, that our Lord and Saviour expressly made the promise in Matthew 28:20, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” I try to remember this promise when I face fear or anxiety of any sort, for I know He always keeps His promises.
jef on June 29, 2016 at 12:22 pm
Always with you until the end of the age. Taking this great commision promise literally though not directly involved in the mission field. Whatever vocation or wherever we are planted let’s bloom and occupy till He comes. He is and will ALWAYS be there.
elegantstarr1 on June 29, 2016 at 1:40 pm
I will sing hallelujah, I will sing oh Lord.
I will sing hallelujah oh Lord.
For You are the source of my supply
Lord I praise, I lift You higher;
I will sing hallelujah oh Lord!
Dear Lord, thank You for Your constant presence in my life! Thank You for never leaving me alone! Thank You for ALWAYS being there. I Love You! Amen!
Wonderful devotional Roxanne! Wishing you and all on the ODJ forum wonderful Blessings!