Dec. 22
IMMEDIATELY PRESENT
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble"
Ps. 46:1
A help that is not present when we need it is of small value. The
anchor which is left at home is of no use to the seaman in the hour of
storm; the money which he used to have is of no worth to the debtor
when a writ is out against him. Very few earthly helps could be called
"very present": they are usually far in the seeking, far in the using,
and farther still when once used. But as for the Lord our God, He is
present when we seek Him, present when we need Him, and present when
we have already enjoyed His aid.
He is more than "present," He is very present. More present than
the nearest friend can be, for He is in us in our trouble; more
present than we are to ourselves, for sometimes we lack presence of
mind. He is always present, effectually present, sympathetically
present, altogether present. He is present now if this is a gloomy
season. Let us rest ourselves upon Him. He is our refuge, let us hide
in Him; He is our strength, let us array ourselves with Him; He is our
help, let us lean upon Him; He is our very present help, let us repose
in Him now. We need not have a moment's care, or an instant's fear.
"The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."