Advent – the season and time of waiting, and yet, time continues on. Life still unfolds, the days pass, and we still are in a pattern of waiting.

And in the wait, smack dab in the middle of an Advent reading schedule, there sits a Psalm waiting. The words are waiting to unfold right in front of my eyes, breathing hope and encouragement into my heart and mind.

“For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:7-8, NLT)

The Lord Himself promises to be our hiding place. Instead of being overwhelmed by circumstances, we are promised protection and victory.

He promises to be with us.
Rather than being overwhelmed, we overcome.

The words cause me to turn to another familiar passage:

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:2-3, NLT)

Conquering forces could be compared to deep waters, rivers of difficulty, and fire of oppression, but ultimately, these should remind us that while we will experience pain in life, God will be with us. He will keep us from falling under the weight of it all.

Why?

Because He is a covenant keeping God. God is committed to His covenant relationship with His people. Rather than the issues of life negating this commitment, every difficulty should confirm His covenant to us.

If He has never left His people in the past, He will be with His people today, and every day ahead. He is watching over each one of us – in the midst of this virus, government transition, unrest, surprising diagnoses, and uncertain economy.

He is Emmanuel –
God with us –
in every single moment of our lives.

Photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash
Today I am joining … Recharge Wednesday .