The Lord is Near

 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (Philippians 4:4-5)

I love those mornings when God gives me little reminders of His presence. Today is a cooler, rainy day, and as I sat on my patio with a blanket and a hot cup of coffee, I prayed for direction on where to read for today’s bible study. I was led to the Personality Profiles section of my Life Application Study Bible, and saw that the next one on the list was Ezra. I haven’t studied profiles for several weeks, and it was exciting to get back to them.

As I began to read his profile, I came across the words, “On a cold and rainy day, Ezra addressed the people.” That made me laugh because it might have been a day just like today, and I know it was God’s fun way of letting me know that I was right where He wanted me to be. Today is a cold, rainy day, and God had something to say to me.

Ezra committed his life to carefully studying God’s word, applying and obeying it in his own life, and teaching others about how to do the same. While reading about him, I was reminded of the calling God has for my life and the verse that He gave me several years ago that spells out that calling. It is Isaiah 50:4, 7 which reads;

The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue
    to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
    wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
    I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like flint,
    and I know I will not be put to shame.

After receiving this clear message from God, I eagerly wrote notes and cross references in my Bible and highlighted words with dated reminders of how God made this study so personal and unique. What a gift from Him to have a calling on my life, and to have people like Ezra who are living testimonies of what a committed life to God can accomplish. As I recommitted to follow my calling, I thought of how amazing it will be years from now to look back on those notes and highlights and be reminded again and again of God’s presence and faithfulness.

Spending time with Jesus on this cold and rainy day has been amazing. Knowing He is near and that He takes such delight in waking me up, morning by morning, to spend time with me, to teach me, and give me understanding, is mind-blowing. And I want more!