Day 8: "Promises of Presence"

Day 8:

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Sunday 22 March 2020

"Promises of Presence"

So today we are missing church – again, and the absence of being together will begin to increase its toll on our souls – we were created to be connected to others, and never more so than in the church, the body of Christ. How are we to remedy this anxious dilemma while adhering soberly to the reality of the necessity of social distancing in order to help slow the spread of a disease that seeks us all?

I love God’s church – not because I am a pastor, but because I am a man who needs Jesus and who is fed by the corporate worship of His people in all of our brokenness and incompleteness.

Jesus made a promise: “Where two or three of you gather together in my name there am I in your midst.” Matthew 18:20. But we aren’t gathering together today, or for the foreseeable future. So how do we still experience His presence in the absence of His people? By leaning into his promises of his presence in our individual lives.

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5
“I will be with you always, to the very end…” Matthew 28:30
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.” Isaiah 41:10
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Reflective question: Which of these promises of presence do you most need today in your life?

Reflective Scripture: Choose one from above.

Reflective hymn: "Standing on the Promises"

Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God.

Reflective prayer: Prayer for the Third Sunday of Lent, The Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.  

PRAYER REQUEST: click here to submit.