God Was There the Whole Time

READ: NUMBERS 33:1-10; PSALM 139:1-12; HEBREWS 13:5

I have to admit, when I’m reading certain parts of the Bible, I sometimes hurry through what I’m reading without really paying attention. The book of Numbers is one of those books that I just try to get through when I’m completing a Bible reading plan. Last night, though, as I was reading a chapter from Numbers, I found myself slowing down.

In Numbers 33, we’re given a list of all the places the Israelites camped after they left Egypt. They had many stops on their journey. And as I was reading through this list, I started thinking about the fact that God was with the Israelites at each camp. He was with them in each part of their journey. He saw them through their many stops. He paid attention to it all.

Dealing with changes in our lives can be hard. Things like moving can be uncomfortable and even scary. Through it all, though, God sees what we’re facing. Like He saw the Israelites through each of their stops, He sees us through everything.

You cannot move somewhere He will not go with you. You cannot hide from His loving gaze. You cannot experience so much change or hard stuff in your life that He will leave you. God is always there. How can we know? Because Jesus came to earth to die and rise again for us, not only to save us from sin and give us eternal life, but also to make the way for us to have a daily relationship with God. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know His presence is always with us, and I’m grateful He used Numbers 33 to remind me of that. • Emily Acker

• Can you think of a time you felt like God was distant or maybe didn’t see you anymore? Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about this, telling Him how you felt and asking Him to help you see how He was present with you in that difficult time.

[Jesus said,] “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (NIV)