Everywhere and Always...Always and Everywhere

Many times in Scripture we humans are admonished to not fear; and the reason given for not needing to fear is that "the Lord is with you."

Fear is one of the most, if not the most, paralyzing emotion that humans experience. It paralyses us and keeps us from taking action needed for the sake of Jesus and His love of others.

The promise that the Lord is with us is key if we are to live and move in love towards God and others. "God is love", says the apostle John in his first letter. He also says that love casts out fear; this means that the presence of Love drives fear away. For example, if fear in the form of financial shortage visits my heart, the awareness that Love is present with me in the form of Jehovah-jireh (Provider) brings peace and the courage to keep giving and blessing others even when finances are short. If fear comes because of a difficult work situation that needs my speaking up on behalf of others, pausing to recognize that Love in the form of Jehovah-Nissi (Victorious One) is with me gives me the inner courage to say something when I would rather keep silent.

Love is with me everywhere and always!

Practicing the presence of Love is an important spiritual practice, because without a growing assurance and awareness that He is present with us always and everywhere, we are no match for fear, a reality we face daily to one degree or another.

There's a scene in the Prince Caspian movie in which the young girl Lucy is approaching strong and intimidating enemies; to her amazement they are backing away from her in fear, not because of her strength, but because Aslan is walking directly behind her. The presence of Love with Lucy drives back the intimidating forces coming against her.

Realizing God's presence with us doesn't mean the emotion of fear goes away, but as we become increasingly in touch with the reality of His real presence with us in our moment of fear, our heart is strengthened to push through the emotions of fear and to act in faith.

God came in Jesus as Emmanuel; that name  alone tells us that the greatest news about God is that He is with us always and everywhere. God's power is His presence!

"...he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'" Hebrews 13:5,6