Drawing Near

"See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands...."  Isaiah 49:16.

The closer we get to Jesus, the more we see His love for us.  If you are standing far away from Him you can't see the nail marks in His hands.  But when you come close and spend time with Jesus you will see His amazing love for you, that He demonstrated on the cross.

Isaiah 25 says: "O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt you and praise Your Name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.  ....You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.  ......On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine--the best of meats and the finest of wines.  On this mountain He will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; He will swallow up death forever.  The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth.  The Lord has spoken.  In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us.  This is the Lord, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."

Are you struggling with your health, your finances, your job, your relationships?  Worried about your family, your parents, your children?  Fearful of the unknown?  Focusing on the One who gave His life for yours quiets your fears.  Come close to Jesus, read His words; "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many"  Mark 10:45, remember the scars in His hands, He gave His life as a ransom for you.  He is your Savior.  "I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.  He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.  When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built." Luke 6:48.  Even when troubles come, your life is held firm, your foundation is sure.  Jesus said, "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart I have overcome the world."  John 16:33.  

There is no substitute for knowing that your Shepherd is near.  Even when all is dark, trust that His eye is on you and that His love is proven.

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:8.