The Lord himself Will Be With You

John Ortberg tells the story of a friend who made his first trip south of the Mason-Dixon Line from Chicago to Georgia. On his first morning in the South, he went into a restaurant to order breakfast, and it seemed that every dish included something called grits…which, as my Tennessee friends tell me, is exactly the way God intended it. Not being familiar with this southern delicacy, he asked the waitress, “Could you tell me, exactly what is a grit?” Looking down on him with a mixture of compassion and condescension, she said, “Sugar, you can’t get just one grit. They always come together.”

In the book of Kings, chapter 19, the prophet Elijah is running for his life. He lies down under a broom tree and he prays, “It is enough now, O Lord, take away my life…” When God responds, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah responds, “… the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left…”

Elijah feels alone. Loneliness can be lethal.

Later, God shares with Elijah that there are 7,000 left – who are with him. There are others.

These past several weeks of social distancing has been extremely hard on many of us. I know some of you have felt very isolated and lonely. I hope that you have been able to stay in touch with friends and family by phone or other technology. My prayer is that you would feel their love and care for you – even across the distance.

In the book of Deuteronomy (31:8) it is written, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Let us pray: Loving God, I pray today especially for those who are feeling isolated or alone. May they know your presence with them – even now. Help each of us indeed feel the love of those we love. In your time, bring us together again. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.