Daily Devotional
We Need God’s Presence

November 5, 2023

Ponder This

When Joyce and I lost our son, we left to be with family while we were grieving. When Joyce and I were leaving our church parsonage close by the church we served at, I could see the yellow light as it was streaming out of the open windows of the church, and the congregation was singing “No, never alone. No, never alone. He hath promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone. I’ve seen the lightning flashing, I’ve heard the thunder roll, I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, trying to conquer my soul. But I heard the voice of Jesus, telling me still to fight on, for He’s promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone.”

I would not take anything for the conscious presence of God. And this little phrase that speaks about Joseph’s life: “The Lord was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:2). In prison, God was with him; in the pit, God was with him; in slander, God was with him; in business, God was with him; in pain, God was with him; in prosperity, God was with him. He’s dying, God was with him. God is in Christ, and if you want God with you in good times and hard, you need Jesus.

• When have you needed God’s presence in a hard time?
• Who do you know that needs to be reminded that God is with them today?

Practice This

Check in on somebody who is going through a hard time. If this person has a relationship with Jesus, remind him or her of God’s presence through hard times.