For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14.

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17.

This morning I was feeling very tired and one of the things I prayed for was strength and then I was praying for Him to be real to me and to others. I had just read in the Bible the introduction to 2 Timothy and the commentary explained how that letter was the last words of the Apostle Paul given to Timothy to encourage him in his important ministry. Nero was Emperor. Can you imagine what that time was like? Nero was blaming Christians for the burning of Rome and persecutions most awful were rampant.

I began praying for God’s ministry around the world. In my mind’s eye I could see a flame like a match being lit within me and not just me but in others as well. The truth of God’s love for you and for me is like that light lit from within. Once you allow yourself to feel God’s love you can’t un-feel it.

I realized that He is there with me and you as we go about our day to day. He doesn’t ask us to separate from the realities of this life that require and need our attention. I think that’s why people are so afraid initially to engage with God. We think He will suddenly upend our lives and we will have to be odd and different. Nothing could be further from the truth. He wants us to live our lives and He will be there with us. Our lives are precious to Him and He wants us to live them fully. And one day we will come to realize how very much He has been with us in moments great and small.

Then He reminded me He gives me strength enough for each day. Sometimes I really do feel like my life, like the sands of the hour glass, is ebbing out one grain at a time and there are days it feels like a steady stream. I realize I can’t count on my own strength. I think about Paul who had such energy and dedication to His calling to share the gospel with the Gentiles of his day. The gospel that God loves us. From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17.

A simple gospel message. The kingdom of heaven has come near….but you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you…for this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

I love that. He is with us and in us and will be our guide like that candle flame within. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.