Week 1 God is with me

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Psalms 23:4 (KJV)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.

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I am so glad you have decided to start your journey on drawing closer to God. Congrats!!!

Note: As you read this devotion feel free to revisit throughout your week so that you can meditate on the scriptures and the message. This devotion is to help put your faith in gear as you fast and pray.

A person still maturing in their walk with Christ, might think that God is with them based on the blessings they receive and the good feelings they feel.

Is God only present when we recieve what we've been praying for? Is God only present when everything is going well in our lives, and when we have people applauding us for our accolades?

Unfortunately, we have misidentified God's presence as the good things happening in our lives. Sure, the bible does say in James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above."

However, what kind of omnipresent God do you know that is only present when things are good?

In the bible, Jesus and his disciples were on a ship. In Matthew chapter 8, the bible says a great storm came up in the sea.

All the while, Jesus was resting soundly on the ship, and his disciples panicked. Can you imagine being stuck at sea with water filling your boat and the strong winds rocking you every way?

They cried out to Jesus, asking him to save them. If we view Jesus's disciples from a natural perspective, we can see that they had every reason to panic.

Of course, Jesus calmly got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. At the command of his voice, they obeyed. Then he asked his disciples in lamen terms, "Where is your faith?"

How often are we in a situation thinking God isn't paying attention? Better yet, it feels like God isn't even in the room because he's too busy dealing with someone else's problems.

We can relate to the disciples from a natural point of view. We have every reason to be fearful and to panic. Yet Jesus didn't naturally address their issue.

He taught them a spiritual lesson imperative to their survival. Where is your faith?

When faced with diverse challenges, just like the disciples, our initial response is to panic. We might even pray to God, but when we pray, we operate from a spirit of anxiousness and worry instead of trust and faith.

God has been with you the whole time, just like Jesus was with the disciples. It is your response that determines whether you survive the storm.

God hasn't done anything yet because he's waiting for your response. Will your response validate that you trust God, allowing God to show up in your circumstances?

Or will your response show that though you profess to know God, you don't fully believe?

God is with you. This affirmation is not just some positive mantra to write on a sticky note and post on your wall; you must believe it.

King David said in Psalms 34:8, "O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusts in him."

I know your faith might not be where you want it to be right now, but never stepping out won't allow your faith to expand.

God requires an increase in your faith, so start with your unquestioned belief in his promise to be with you.

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Pray this prayer

Father,

I acknowledge that you are with me; you have always been with me. I know that without faith, it is impossible to please you. I take my faith and put it all in you. God, show me your word is truth, and allow me to taste and see. Allow me to see that no matter the circumstances, you are with me. In Jesus's name, amen.