Recently, one of my kids asked me,
“Mom, when did you feel closest to God?”
I think they expected me to say in church, on a mission trip, or maybe at a women’s conference.
But those weren’t my answer.
Without hesitation, my answer was, “I felt the closest to God when I was on the radiation table treating the breast cancer.”
And it’s true…
While I was completely alone
While the answers weren’t clear
While I was fighting to have faith over fear
While the future seemed uncertain
While I was right in the middle of the physical, emotional, and spiritual pain,
I lay on a cold table in the deafening silence of a room too dangerous for anyone to be in with me… and knew GOD HIMSELF was right there with me.
Right in the middle of the fear, confusion, pain, silence, uncertainty, and questions, GOD showed up in a way I had never known HIM before.
I was thinking today, I’m sure I’m not alone in that.
I’m certain the three Israelites felt HIM closest right in the middle of the fire,
Daniel felt HIM ever so close in the depths of the lions den,
David knew HE was with him when Goliath fell,
Gideon was in awe of HIS presence when the enemy turned on itself,
Esther knew HE was close as HE made a way of salvation for her people when they should have been destroyed,
Paul and Silas saw HIM working in the prison
I could go on and on…
But it was in the middle of their crisis that they knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that the Lord was ever so close.
Here is what I know,
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
HIS promises are true.
And you can trust that whatever is happening
Whatever uncertainty lies before you
Whatever obstacles are in your way
Whatever bad report you have received
Whatever you are going through…
HE is with you.
Right in the middle of your crisis…
HE is closer than ever.