“Everywhere I go I see You”, Rich Mullins sang. Sometimes we feel that way… God is everywhere we look. We understand Jesus’ meaning of “abundant life”. “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light…”(Ex 13:21) Everywhere they went they saw Him… but then came Pharaoh and hundreds of chariots. “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?” the Israelites cried.(Ex 14:11)
Could they not see Him? Was He there? Did the assault of the enemy take away the presence of God? Could God be trusted through the chaos? Is faith possible in darkness?
We know the story. The Israelites were delivered through the Red Sea on dry land. The enemy was destroyed. The Lord triumphed in glorious power. Worship, singing, and dancing erupted among the people of God. “Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them.”(Ex 15:11-12)
How easy it is to believe when the victory is won! “Everywhere I go I see You! I will worship You, Lord! You are my God!” But what will I do when the enemy is all around? What if I see no sign of the Lord? What if I’ve had no water for three days? What if my daily bread is getting monotonous? Will I grumble? Will I complain? Will I test Him saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”(Ex 17:7)
Jesus warns about darkness. He also gives hope. “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.”(Jn 12:35-36) “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”(Jn 14:44-46)
I learned yesterday that my cousin committed suicide. Darkness seems to be closing all around my family. Pray that we may know, even now, that God is everywhere.