God’s presence is so strong in our worship services at CLC lately. There have been a few times our pastor skipped the sermon completely as we continued in praise and worship until the invitation was given and more than a few people responded to the conviction of the Holy Spirit to accept Christ as their personal savior. I believe that atmosphere is as close to heaven as we can experience in this life on earth, as we join the angels celebrating those lost lambs who’ve been found and those sons and daughters who’ve been added to God’s family. Jesus said, “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20) He always keeps that promise.
I leave the sanctuary walking on air, but then life happens. God begins to seem a little more distant. In the midst of turmoil and trouble I used to wonder if He was still there at all, but when those feeling start creeping in, I’m reminded of Paul’s assurance to the church in Rome, “No power in the sky above or the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39) and I can say with King David, “I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” (Acts 2:25)
My emotions or feelings aren’t necessary. I know He is always there whether I feel His presence or not, because God isn’t just walking beside me – His Holy Spirit dwells in my heart. I remember after the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, they installed a direct line between the White House and Moscow. That hot line provided instant communication between the two atomic super powers so there would be no possibility of misunderstanding or accidentally starting a war. That line was regularly tested to make sure it would work when needed. The Holy Spirit provides us with a direct hot line to God, but it isn’t just there for emergencies. When we pray, we open up that line so we can praise God and thank Him for all of the blessings we receive; ask Him for specific help or guidance; and pray for others in need. It is a two-way line of communication for God to use to speak to us too. The more we use that hot line, the better it works. God is never more than a prayer away.
It boggles the mind to think that God can communicate with you, me and a billion other Christians throughout the world at various times or all at once, but God is not limited by time or space. “All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.” (Jude 1:25)
I want to leave you with the chorus of another of my favorite Gospel songs. “God was in time for the children of Israel to cross the mighty Red Sea. He was on time when the walls of Jericho fell at Joshua’s feet. Every time I feel discouraged, I don’t have to wonder where He’ll be. God’s been in time, on time, every time for me.”