where God is

 Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Isaiah 41:17-43:13. This is a tender moment which we see here in this passage. God is speaking, and He says, "When the poor and needy search for water and there is none... I will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them."

And then He goes on to say all of the things He will do, the things He HAS DONE, for the poor who call out to Him. He hears your cries, too. He knows when you're hurting. When you need Him. And He is with you. 

We often wonder "Where was God when this disaster happened?", like we're asking why He didn't prevent it. And of course, He does. He protects us so often from disaster. But there are also times when, instead of preventing it, He walks through it with us. In the lives of the disciples, as we read the New Testament, and the lives of the saints, we see that there are times when He rescues His children from the lions, from prison, from the snakes, from being killed in horrible ways.

And then there are other times when He allows us to go through those dark times, but He walks with us. Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we need fear no evil, because not only do His rod and staff comfort us, but He Himself is right there with us, giving us strength, feeling our pain, and seeing us through.

Don't be afraid. He's got you.

God, thanks for protecting us from evil - and for going through it with us when the time comes.