Where do I find Him?

When life gets busy and the pressure is mounting, and your to do list is looking like it could take the next month to finish not the next day it can be hard to see God or know His presence. When some national disaster strikes people will often say "where was God?" as if He missed the whole thing. When some personal tragedy happens we can find it very hard to see God at work in it. But be assured God is in it.

When these types of issues or difficulties arrive our common anchor is that "God has a plan and a purpose in this." But there has to be more than that. Don't get me wrong, it's a good anchor. It's true, solid, dependable. But God gives us more than an sovereign insurance policy.

God is not only working behind the scenes, weaving His amazing tapestry of life. He also longs to be centre stage with us in the midst of the storm. As we cry out "where are you God in this storm", he replies "I'm in it".

Psalm 46 has some great comfort in these times.

The Psalmist says that "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." Some versions say "a very present help". Maybe God is most available and present when we need Him most. We on the other hand are often most conscious of His presence when we need Him least.

I like how The Message puts part of this Psalm "God lives here, the streets are safe". We can often forget God lives where you live. His presence is here.

But often our cry is "I can't feel him" but the Psalm doesn't call us to feel His presence but to know. However our ability to even know is hampered by our rushing.

“Be still, and know that I am God!" the Psalmist says. God says "know that I'm in it and you will know my peace and feel my presence."

I learnt a really simple technique to help with this. When my mind is rushing and I'm struggling to see God at work or know His presence I say the following:

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know that I am.

Be still and know.

Be still.

Be.

I say this a few times and as I do I try to slow down each time. As I do, I often find I know where God is.

He is here.

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Before you preach

Let's face it, the bar is set pretty high for preachers. We can often have too high an expectation. When we realise they have faults and struggles like the rest of us it can be a shocking revelation. Just because you preach doesn't mean your perfect or have it all sorted. Paul spoke of his 'thorn in the flesh' and his struggle to do the very things he wanted to do. Nonetheless nobody wants to be taught by a novice. If you wanted to get better at a sport you would go to an experienced coach. If you wanted to learn to cook better you may look for someone who has actually catered before, or been a chef in a restaurant.

The same is true with the pulpit. The congregation expects to hear from someone with experience. In fact God expects the preacher to not just 'talk the talk' but to also 'walk the walk'.

This is something Ezra understood. Ezra 7:10 records 'For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.'

This simple single verse sets a template for preachers. - study it - do it - teach it

I get to preach on a reasonably frequent basis. This verse alone has served as a timely wake up call. It's easy to draw from the latest thing you believe God has revealed to you. A recent teaching you've heard. Or a passage of scripture you've never noticed before. But many times when that happens it's primarily an intellectual exercise. 'here is what I've read now you can read it too'. There's a place for that sort of preach but when you draw from life experience something entirely different occurs.

You're humbled. By actually doing what you've studied before you preach it you see how challenging or tough something is. Or you realise how gracious our God is. Your overwhelmed by his mercy and favour. It's stops you getting puffed up and thinking 'its simple, God says it, I believe it, you just do it.'

Keeps you stable. You can get a revelation in an instant. Living it takes time. The Bible speaks of not being 'blown around by every wind of doctrine'. Living it before you preach it helps prevent this.

Puts things in context. A single verse in the Bible stands in context with the whole council of God. If we just read 'I will bless the Lord at all times' without also reading there is a time for weeping we may get unbalanced. Putting what we study into action into our lives places it in context with everything else God is doing in our lives.

It's credible. When you speak from experience people see it. They can tell you've been there first and are living to tell the tale. You're not asking them to trust God in a way you haven't already. You can truly say 'guys this works'.

So I read this verse 6 months ago. I've been putting this principle into practice in my life. And now I'm teaching it!

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