Longing for God’s Presence - Martin Wiles

Then Moses said, “If you don’t go with us personally, don’t let us move a step from this place.” Exodus 33:15 NLT

She longed for their presence: her son and husband. Both fought in a Middle Eastern war. She worried night and day, never totally focused on anything she did. What if both were killed? Or suppose they were critically injured? How would that change the life she had known?

Another time and place. Another person. She and her husband longed for the presence of their son. He had made some unwise decisions that landed him in jail. Six years had passed with only temporary visits. They longed for him to be released so he could move back home, where they could talk and visit regularly.

Moses, too, longed for God’s presence. He had agreed to God’s assignment and led God’s people out of slavery. But no sooner had they left Egypt than the rebels rebelled. While Moses received the Ten Commandments on a mountain, they lounged below and wondered what had happened to him. Additionally, they fashioned a golden calf to take God’s place. God considered annihilating them and starting over with Moses. Moses, however, interceded for the people and begged God to go with them on their journey to the Promised Land. He didn’t want to move one step if God wasn’t by his side.

Emotions can trigger our longing for God’s presence. A soul-stirring musical concert or fiery sermon can easily arouse them. We can be stirred, feel God’s presence, and be ready to take on the world for Christ. However, the danger of longing for God’s presence only when something stirs our emotions is that the feeling is typically short-lived. Though important and necessary, emotions mimic a roller coaster’s up-and-down movement.

A longing for God’s presence that results from an inner conviction that we need and want his presence is more permanent. Faith and a firm commitment will carry us farther than an emotional experience.

When we long for God’s presence, as Moses did, we strive to please him with our actions, words, and attitudes. We live a holy lifestyle, recognizing that our bodies are a temple of his presence. And we move closer to him daily, long to grasp the opportunities he sends and share him with others.

Pursue those things that will help you long even more for God’s presence.

Father, I believe you are with me always. Help me long to feel your presence with me continuously. 

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Objects of Trust - Jennifer Matenaer

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. Psalm 20:7–8 ESV

Family game night arrives, and we choose our objects of trust.

We may assemble hexes around sea frame pieces and prepare to gather ore, wheat, wood, or brick. Or we arrange pawns, bishops, knights, and rooks on the checkered board, planning to knock out our opponent’s king. Or we sort our consonants and vowels to create a high-scoring word.

Every board game has strategies to win. And along with strategy come certain items—resources, pieces, or tiles—that we rely on for the victory. We trust these objects to conquer our opponents.

Similar principles apply in wartime. Leaders and their armies depend on guns, tanks, missiles, or bombs to defeat their enemies.

In the Old Testament, the magnitude of an army’s chariots and horses revealed its strength. Armies that relied on these resources had the greatest chance of conquest.

However, God had a different strategy for the nation of Israel. He forbade them from amassing large numbers of horses and chariots. Instead, they depended on the Lord for victory. And time after time, He defeated stronger nations. As a result, the people learned to trust God rather than physical supplies.

King David recognized where Israel’s true strength lay. Their enemies would collapse and fall if they relied on chariots and horses. But if they trusted the Lord, they would rise and stand upright.

Although most do not fight in literal wars, we face spiritual battles. Whether we combat troubles at work, with family, or in ourselves, each attack forces us to turn somewhere—friends, finances, our problem-solving skills. But like horses and chariots, sources that look strong only lead to defeat.

Only one object of our trust will never fail. The same God who saved David and Israel in war helps us in our battles. And although He may not deliver us from the turmoil, He will fight by our side.

Think of some ways you can rely on the Lord the next time you find yourself in a struggle.

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Jennifer Matenaer is a freelance writer and graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. She and her husband serve in rural church revitalization in Southwest Iowa. Read more from her at JenniferMatenaer.com.

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Longing for Freedom - Martin Wiles

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:13-14 NLT

He was longing for freedom.

The letter said he was in prison, but for what I didn’t know. The return address was unfamiliar. As the contents fell out and I read, Jason* told his story. He had read one of my devotions in a publication distributed at the prison. His life had been a wreck. He was there because of bad decisions—which ones didn’t matter.

Jason needed someone to listen and encourage him. While there, he had chosen to surrender his life to Christ, but the darkness surrounding him depressed him. He tried to be a light but wondered whether he was making any progress.

Over the next year, we corresponded monthly. He told me about the dreams he wanted to fulfill when his prison stint ended. Then the letters stopped. Recently, I received another letter. He was out and working—but still struggling to find his way in a cruel world.

Millions celebrate Independence Day in America. Even more have given their lives for the freedom Americans enjoy. From the War of Independence through the many that have followed, Americans have fought for their freedom and that of others.

True freedom, however, can be enjoyed anywhere—when behind bars or subject to cruel rulers. Christ made this freedom possible when he died on the cross and paid for the sins of humanity.

Bars may hinder us from doing what we want—as they did Jason—but our spirits are free. Oppressors may forbid us from worshiping Christ publicly, but they can never imprison our souls. What has been set free by Christ is free forever. Jason and many others have discovered this while in prison. Christians living under oppressive governments have as well.

When we ask, Christ forgives our sins and casts them as far as the East is from the West. He no longer requires that we pay for them. Anyone who asks can be free.

Are you enjoying the true meaning of freedom?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the freedom found through forgiveness. 

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Walk-on Wednesday - No Greater Love - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Walk-on Wednesday. By Hump Day, we are struggling, but we believe a good devotion can strengthen us to finish the week strong.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13 NKJV

No greater love must have been his motto.

Although Joseph O’Callahan loved teaching at Holy Cross College, he felt the need to enlist. World War II raged, and he thought he could better exhaust his calling by helping those who fought.

Four years later, he found himself on the aircraft carrier, the USS Franklin, when a Japanese plane suddenly appeared and dropped two five-hundred-pound bombs. Flames erupted.

As a captain watched the flames creep closer to two enclosed gun turrets, he saw the padre moving through the flames with a fire hose. O’Callahan calmed others and even helped defuse bombs.

The ship was eventually saved. On May 17, 1945, in the Brooklyn Navy Ship Yard, awards were presented. As O’Callahan’s mother came aboard, Les Gehres, the captain, met her. He said, “I’m not a religious man. But I watched your son that day, and I thought if faith can do this for a man, there must be something to it.”

What better person to talk about laying down one’s life for others than the person who did? Thousands followed Jesus. Laying down his life for them—his friends—was honorable. But what about those who despised, abused, ridiculed, and tried to kill him? Could he lay down his life for them with the same ease?

Love demands action, as it did with Father O’Callahan and Jesus. If we only love in words, few benefit. True love for others requires that we do something . . . anything.

Jesus calls the ultimate expression evangelism. We don’t have to berate others with Bible verses or be obnoxious in other ways. We can simply demonstrate the love of Jesus in kind actions. Making Jesus a regular part of our daily conversations also helps us obey Jesus’ command. We don’t have to be Bible scholars—just Jesus talkers. In numerous simple ways, we can lay down our lives for others.

Choose one way you can give of yourself to someone.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, move us to lay down our lives for others even as you did yours for us. 

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