"You can't be there with him, but God is!"

We are truly blessed to be children of God. Our Almighty Father, all powerful Creator of this world, Giver of life, knows me, knows you, and knows all our troubles. He is as close as a prayer. God hears the prayers of the righteous. He listens to our pleas and deeply cares for us. Our Heavenly Father ministers to us, as we endure our trials. How do we know? Because we have faith, and He tells us so! 

 1 Peter 5: “⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of  God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon  Him, for He cares for you.”  

 Ever faced troubles, suffered trials in your life? If not, one day you will! But as His children, we are never alone. How wonderful it is to know that we face our challenges not alone, but rather with the compassion of our God and spiritual Father. He not only cares for us; He tells us to not worry! Our heavenly Father commands us to pass our cares, our troubles onto Him, so that we may have peace!

 Philippians 4: ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!  ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Be  anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,  with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the  peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your  hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Why do we pray? Because we believe that God is at hand, will hear our prayer, and that He has the power to grant our petitions! And though we are told to pray, Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount, that God already knows what's in our heart, what's troubling us, before we speak to Him in prayer: "For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." Matt 6:9

We are God's children through Jesus Christ. "adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself." That is the greatest blessing of all. But there are also great side benefits…. we are members of a family, a spiritual family. We have brothers and sisters, who love and care for us. 

 2 Cor 1 ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the  Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all  our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in  any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are  comforted by God. 

The comfort spoken of here is more than just a sympathetic word or act of kindness.  It is strength and healing. It brings encouragement and the ability to cope with all that life can throw at us! When we suffer, we are never alone. God is with us, and Jesus gives us strength. The "comfort" spoken by the apostle comes from God, and it also brings with it the blessed gift of being able to comfort each other, our brothers and sisters in Christ. Those of us who are suffering are not only comforted by God, but also by our church family who prays for us, encourages us, strengthens us, and lifts us through… to the end of our trial. And this healing, that God gives to His children, becomes the gift we share with each other! It strengthens the comfort we share with our brother or sister who is in need. 

 The apostle Paul tells the Christians of  Galatia to "bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." He speaks of taking up and carrying each other's heaviness, weight, burden, or trouble. In other words, help each other through the hardships and trials of this life. It is both a command and a blessing. We read a similar passage written to the Thessalonians in the fifth chapter: "¹¹comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."

We witness acts of kindness, love, and support each time one of our church family suffers illness or befalls a trial. Look around, and you will see love for brothers and sisters demonstrated on a weekly or even daily basis.

 2 Cor 1: ⁶ Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and  salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings,  which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your  consolation  and  salvation. ⁷ And  our hope for you is steadfast,  because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also  you will partake of the consolation.

You know of our son’s present illness. We have been comforted by God and by your many prayers for Brian’s healing. Due to the pandemic, we are not allowed to enter his hospital, to be in his presence. 

One of the first messages, one of many, I received from a faithful brother in Christ is seen in the title of this writing: 

“You can’t be there with him, but God is.” Words we have treasured.

Amen.  - Danny Pickett

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"I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

"Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,  for the

Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

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