Love That Never Fails

24. Is the Lord Among Us or Not?

In the difficult months that have passed in 2026, we have all probably been shocked by some of the circumstances we have found ourselves in. Families are still reeling from the fallout of viruses, vaccines, war and the cost of living issues and whether the effects have reached your family or not, you may have felt great sadness just watched others suffering in newsfeeds. At times like this, the question that looms in many people's minds could be the same as the Israelites, 'Is the Lord among us or not?'

"The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?" But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?" Then Moses cried out to the Lord, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me."

Things were looking bad and we can certainly feel for Moses having to lead this ever grumbling group of people! Frustration was definitely growing as Moses asks God for help:

The Lord answered Moses, "Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?""
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭17:1-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you find yourself wondering where God is in all of the suffering, injustice and chaos in the world? As you can see, God made His presence unmistakably known when He caused water to flow from the rock. Again and again He was showing the Israelites that He is the God who supplies, He is always there! We can be sure He is there for us too, meeting all of our needs each day:

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"..... And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.""
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:20‬ b NIV‬‬

Let's pray,

Heavenly Father,

I simply come to You today and thank You for being present with me right now. Thank You for supplying all of my needs today in the midst of what continues to be difficult year for many. Please help me to remember as things change around me, that You never change and that You surely are with us all —even to the end of this age! What an amazing promise! I am so blessed!

Amen.