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Intention

To encourage us that our Saviour is with us through every circumstance in life, including those times when we are blinded to His presence by our sorrow, anger, and loneliness.

Scripture

“While they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. But they were prevented from recognising him.”

– Luke 24:15–16

“It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognised him, but he disappeared from their sight.”

– Luke 24:30–31

Reflection

The Scripture above (Luke 24:15–16) is one example showing how believers (including myself) often fail to see the presence of Messiah in our lives. When we fail to see God’s presence, we can miss the opportunities He gives us.

Perhaps there have been times when you have felt that God has abandoned you when you needed Him the most. If so, you are not the only one who has had those thoughts. You might have felt that God was distant, ignoring our pleas for His help and leaving our prayers unanswered.

There are times when I have asked, “Lord, where are you when I need you?”

As I reflect on the darkest of situations that I have faced recently, I see I was so caught up in my own pain. As a result, I didn’t recognise God in the crisis with me.

I cared for my wife, watching her suffer from physical pain and cancer in the hospital. For a while, my eyes were blind to see God in that situation.

We prayed. But God didn’t seem to hear or respond. All I could see was our immediate distressing situation.

Then I read through Habakkuk. It reminded me that, just like the prophet Habakkuk, I was so caught up in my own crisis that I failed to recognise that God sees and responds to the crises we face while also dealing with the eternal picture. He is at work in us, and is also working universally, all at the same time.

I read the familiar verses in Habakkuk 3:17–19, where Habakkuk declares that no matter how bad the situation was, he choses to rejoice in the Lord.

This reminds me of when some of the first Christians suffered harsh persecution and were scattered around the world (Acts 8:1). Yet James wrote, “Consider it all joy when you fall into various trials” to these persecuted people (James 1:2).

After reading Habakkuk, I started to see God’s presence in our crisis. As my eyes turned from the crisis to God, I saw that God was using our situation to minister to many people. Multiple opportunities opened up for sharing His love and grace with others, including nursing staff and family members who were previously closed to the gospel.

God weaves every thread of our lives into a beautiful garment – ‘the garment of praise’. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). When we are in a crisis, believing this truth makes all the difference.

When we recognise His eternal presence with us, then whatever circumstances we face, we can declare, along with the two walking on the road to Emmaus, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).

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Prayer

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth.” You have promised to never leave me or forsake me. I pray that the reality of that promise will permeate my life, so that I can stand firm and rejoice when difficult times come.

When I feel that You have turned Your back on me and my prayers seem to be ignored, help me to take my eyes off myself and choose to declare that You have not abandoned me. Rather, You are with me every step of the journey, accomplishing Your eternal purposes in my life and in the lives of those You minister to through me.

I choose to trust You in every situation. In Yeshua’s name I pray.

Author Bio

Malcolm was married to Alison for 40 years until she went to be with the Lord in 2024. For 27 years, Mac has worked as a mechanical design draftsman/inventor and is now semi-retired. His passion is to explain how, starting with the Word of God, the complexity and intricacy of creation demands an infinite and intimate God and confirms His Word.

Prayer Points for GO Month to Pentecost 2025

1. Five friends to trust in Christ and to share the gospel with those five in May. Matthew 28:19–20

2. Repentance, revival and reformation in Australia and for millions to believe in Jesus Christ. Luke 24:47

3. A Church that grows in extravagant love for God and people. 2 Corinthians 5:14–15

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