Always Present

“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for

welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

As I read those words in my Bible I was once again struck that they were spoken to the Jews who had been taken into captivity in Babylon. They were probably wondering like never before if God had indeed turned His back on them and abandoned them. For sure this time there was no hope. They were on their own, alone.

But into that situation that seemed hopeless, God spoke to His people through the prophet Jeremiah. He hadn’t forsaken or abandoned them, He was still there with them, in the midst of the darkness. Not only that, He had plans for them, for a future and a hope!

Too often in those dark times when I feel like God is silent, I forget that He is still there, always present, omnipresent. I feel abandoned, forsaken, overwhelmed and alone. I long to hear His voice but all seems silent.

But it is in that dark place that I need to look for His handprints, those reminders that He is not only here in my present reality, but He is at work. Some days it is hard to find any signs of His presence but as I reflect, I begin to see the traces…the snow-capped mountains reflecting his majesty, the colored leaves on the trees reflecting His handiwork, the hug from a friend just when I needed it most.

Even in your darkest moments, look around you for His handprints and thank Him for His presence and that you don’t have to do it alone.

Heavenly Father, thank You that even when I don’t feel your presence close to me, You are still at work all around me, leaving your handprints on my life. Help me to remember that, even in the quiet moments when I cannot hear Your voice.

Action Step:

Have you struggled with feeling far away from God? Practice looking for His presence in your daily life and thank Him for his handprints around you