No social distance with God

After Eric died, for several months, I would wake up every morning and the first thoughts I had were, "God, You are so good and so faithful!"  I can't take any credit for that.  It was just a gift from God to keep me reminded that He was right there with me.  I really didn't feel alone.

That isn't happening nearly as often anymore, but one morning last week I woke up from a great sleep, rolled over on my back, smiled up at the ceiling and said, "Thank You, Father!"  (although why I thought He was up at the ceiling, I don't know.)

My next thought was, "He isn't restricted with social distancing."  He is not obliged to stay 2 arm-lengths away from any of us.  He is right here, and has promised to stay.

It's interesting that in several instances in the Bible, God told people not to fear, and the reason was simply that He was with them.  There's that verse I really like, Isaiah 41:10:  Fear not.  (Why?)  Because I am with you.  Do not be dismayed.  (Why?)  Because I am your God.  I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

When Moses got his assignment to go free the children of Israel from Egypt, he said, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?"  And God said, "Certainly, I will be with you" indicating that should clearly be enough.
When Moses had experienced God's faithful presence over decades, and was giving his last address to the people of Israel before he died and before they crossed the Jordan River to start taking over the land there from the nations that occupied them, he told them, "Fear not, nor be afraid of them for the Lord your God, it is He who goes with you.  He will not fail you nor forsake you."

To Joshua, who was being installed as the leader in Moses' place, and was no doubt wondering how he would fill such big shoes after Moses died, the Lord spoke directly to Joshua, "As I was with Moses, I will be with you.  I will not abandon you; I will not leave you....Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or dismayed for the Lord your God is with you, wherever you go."

In Judges 6, we have the story of Gideon.  He received orders from God to free Israel from its enemy, Midian.  He felt entirely inadequate; "O my Lord, how can I save Israel?  Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house."  God's answer?  "But I will be with you, and you will strike the Midianites as one man."

Jacob received a similar assurance:  "Remember, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.  For I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you."

In Joseph's remarkable story, even though he was first a slave and then a prisoner, it is said he prospered.  As a slave in Potiphar's household, "the Lord was with Joseph so that he became a prosperous man....His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper."  And then, in prison, "the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison....The Lord was with him, and whatever he did, the Lord made it to prosper."

God is so matter-of-fact about it.  "Hey, all of you, I am with you.  Why worry and get stressed out?  I am all you need."

So let's keep ourselves reminded that our heavenly Father is with us.  He is our protection, all around us.  His Spirit is even inside us.  Jesus promised He would be with us even to the end of the age.  We have the promise that He will never, never leave us or forsake us.  So be encouraged.  Take heart.  Expect the best.  Smile at Him and thank Him for His faithfulness in being the ever-present One, Jehovah Shammah.  

And fear not, and do not be dismayed!  God is not social-distancing from you!