There are many disappointments along life’s pathway.  All of us at some point in our lives are faced with circumstances we feel we are not able to handle ourselves.  Such are times of emptiness and helplessness. As believers in Jesus Christ, we have where to run to and find help at times like that.  The past years especially 2022 had its challenges which we faced as individuals, families and more so, as a nation. But here we are in 2023; it’s all by the mercies of God. He makes seemingly impossible things possible to the glory of His name.

Our text says,  “God is Present … “ This simply means God is always with us. God is the creator and ruler of all that is. He is self existing. He is present everywhere at all times, infinite and knows what to do in every situation. He is unlimited in power and can do anything, anytime and anywhere. That is who God is. He is the all-powerful God.  That’s why He is our rock, our refuge, our strength and the tested help in times of trouble. The God we serve is a God of all impossibilities. He is the God that “calleth those things that be not as though they were” and they come into being [Romans 4: 17]. He is our tested and present help [Psalm 46: 1]. Tested in the sense that He has proved Himself faithful from all that we’ve heard and seen. Always remember that He is not far from you, He is there and always available.  He is not willing to forsake us in the midst of trouble.

In Psalm 121: 1 – 2, the Psalmist cried out: “I will lift up my eyes to the hills…“ In times of need, family members, friends and church members can rally round you to encourage you.  While those encouragements are wonderful, it is only when God shows up that you will get the needed and expected help.  Issues of life that defy human solution demand for divine intervention.  When God steps in, you have less battle to fight because you fight from a place of victory. That is why the Bible says, “…we are more than conquerors” [Romans 8: 37]. This year, the stage has been set for God to show Himself that He rules in our affairs. I pray for you and I that we will cooperate with God to be a part of what He is set to do in our lives to the glory of His name.  Psalm 31: 15 says, “My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.”

When God is present with you, as seen in our text, one of the things He does is that He brings deliverance. That is why the Psalmist recommends that we call on Him. In obedience to this charge, we have called on Him in our individual lives, as a family, church and for our great nation. God has arisen to show He is mighty and glorious. One of the most vivid pictures of God in the Bible is that of being a deliverer.  A deliverer sets free and saves from difficult situations.  This is the picture painted of God throughout the Bible. Let’s look at some examples of God’s great deliverance in the bible:

1. God delivered Israel from the bondage in Egypt. This bondage is a physical representation of our spiritual bondage in sin. Just as the children of Israel were in bondage in Egypt, you are in spiritual bondage when you are living in sin. But I have good news for you!  The God who delivered Israel from Egypt will deliver you from the bondage of sin and give you victory over sin. The reality of God being your present help and deliverer will be beneficial to you if you are born again – having accepted Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour.  If you are yet to do this, I implore you to make this important decision today and surrender your life to Jesus.  You will experience freedom from sin when you do.

2. God delivered David from his enemy [Psalm 18: 46 – 48]
3. God delivered Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego from the furnace of fire [Daniel 3: 26].
4. Daniel was delivered from the lion’s den [Daniel 6: 23].
5. In Jonah 2: 1 – 2, Jonah was delivered from the belly of a fish. He didn’t need to be compelled again to go to Nineveh as instructed by God to preach the gospel. I plead with you; do not be stubborn that God will use very unfriendly circumstances to force you to do His will.
6. We see how the woman with infirmity for 18 years was delivered [Luke 13: 10 – 16.]
7. Peter was delivered from prison [Acts 12: 11].

The potency of God’s deliverance is factual and practical. What you have to do to access these benefits is what Jesus said, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” [John 8: 29]. Do you do those things that please God? You must be a source of joy to God for His presence to be with you [2 Corinthians 1: 9 – 19].

This year, you don’t need to be consumed by fear because you have a God who cares for you and is able to deliver you from every situation. There shall be a performance of all we have been praying and trusting God for this year in Jesus’ name [Luke 1: 45]. When God gives you victory from any and every challenge that comes your way, remember to return all glory to Him. In 1 Samuel 17: 37, when David was to fight Goliath, while Goliath boasted in himself, David’s confidence was in God. First, he asked God to prove Himself to the whole world. His second concern was for God to prove to Israel that He does not require any instrument to win any battle. In the same light, Nigeria shall awake to know that God does not require any structure or instrument to win any battle for the nation.

• Reverend Godwin Tsee is the Deputy General Overseer. All Christians Fellowship Mission [ACFM], Maitama, Abuja.

QUOTES:

“He [God] is unlimited in power and can do anything, anytime and anywhere. That is who God is.  He is the all-powerful God.”

“There shall be a performance of all we have been praying and trusting God for this year in Jesus’ name [Luke 1: 45].”