A Change of Scenes

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (New International Version)

When life falls apart and leaves us in a heap, it is easy to buy into the lie that God has forsaken us, no longer watches over us, and has left us to fend for ourselves. When that deception, which was formed in hell, is birthed in our minds we are in a vulnerable and dangerous place. It is at that point when we must choose to align ourselves and our thinking with the Word of God. What a different picture we get from today’s verse. Not one of a distant, departed God, but one of a close, caring, involved God. One who stands closer than any person is able to stand. One whose arms can embrace us more fully than any arm of flesh. One who can save, deliver, and make victorious in ways that people cannot.

I don’t say these things lightly. I know by experience the help that can come from people. God has used significant individuals to help me through some of my darkest times spiritually as well as emotionally. I don’t take lightly their being the hands and heart of Jesus to me when I was broken, crippled, shattered, and spent. They were both needed and appreciated. They were God-sent and I thrived under their care.

With that thought in mind, I am even more touched by the fact that God stands close as well. The people He uses are not “stand ins” for Him, but rather partners with Him. It is a group effort being displayed. I trust each person reading this has experienced that at least once in their life.

Having said that, I am aware of how easy it is to focus on the nearness of people and fail to notice the nearness of God in times of crises. When we do so, we are only seeing a small piece of the picture. God is tenderly enlarging that picture for me this morning. As I view scenes in my mind of being comforted by individuals, Jesus is entering the scene and actually changing the it. He wants me to see that He is always close and from time to time brings another person into the picture. As the people change and the scenes change He stays the same. Never leaving. Never uninvolved. Never unaware. Never unavailable. The people will be there for as long as He chooses to have them there but when they are sent elsewhere, He remains close.

Father, it wasn’t that You weren’t there, it was that I didn’t notice You. Keep me aware of Your closeness whether I stand alone or in the presence of others. Help me to see You as my very present help at all times. Amen.

My Help
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgQd-6uRxiQ&feature=related

Fixing my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith!