From the Edges – The Presence – Devotions for Following Jesus.

From the Edges – Devotions for Following Jesus
The Presence –
Pastor Calvin Cook – July 19, 2024
Scripture focus –– Psalm 16:9-11 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

For those of us, in an individual way or as a small group or fellowship of believers ( church ) who embrace the teachings and theology of John Wesley is the question “how are you recognizing the presence of God.” Included in that question is another question “How is it with your soul?” Recognizing the presence of God must first be realized in the depths of our heart and soul which should cause us to grow in our faith every day.

Psalm 16 reveals God’s deep desire to be in fellowship with us and the hunger of the human soul for a relationship with Him. God always takes the initiative by His grace and seeks to draw us back into a personal friendship and relationship so that we can with confidence and a feeling of contentment realize the continual presence of God and find repair for our soul. Notice the words of Psalm 16:11 “in your presence there is fullness of joy”. To know this joy and find contentment we just can’t recognize God’s presence but truly receive all that God is doing. God is at work! Can we allow that to happen without a fear of letting go of the things that this world has indoctrinated us to believe what is good.

When John Wesley died on Wednesday March 2, 1791, in his eighty-eighth year. As he lay dying, his friends gathered around him, Wesley is said to have grasped their hands and said repeatedly, “Farewell, farewell.” With his remaining strength, Wesley cried out, “The best of all is, God is with us,” lifting his arms and raising his feeble voice and repeating the words, “The best of all is, God is with us.”

How powerful the message of John Wesley, but the greater lesson is to learn we don’t have to wait to our parting minutes from earth to recognize, embrace, and allow God’s presence to completely transform us. We are in a place even in this moment to truthfully answer the question “how is it with my soul?” To experience redemption and move from all of this stuff in our life that is consuming us and seek and reside in the presence of God. I’m praying for that and seeking that in my life today.