before, between and after

Yesterday was heavy day for me. I woke and was ready to seize the day, but felt like a dark cloud rolling in- I was feeling all the feels, frustration, disappointment and sadness. As I was talking outload to myself I said, “I am not allowed to make any big decisions today,” because they would be emotional choices. As I went into worship I cried and cried releasing everything that I “thought” I had given to the Lord. How often do we go before the Lord laying our burdens down at his feet and go back and pick them right up? Being in His presence truly is everything, though at times I let the lies that tell me His presence isn’t for me hinder our relationship.  Later that evening, when I got home, I knew that I had to get into His presence no matter any lies or feelings. I began to pray and speak sweet words to Him, and out of my heart I began to sing a song. Getting lost with Him made me realize the list of prayer request and questions I had was nothing because He was the answer to all of them. After a while He took me to 2 Peter 3 and verse 9 stood out to me saying:
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
I was blown away in the reassurance that He is for me and has me, and how could I, for a moment, forget that.  His love for us is mighty and so is His patient. No matter what is trying to stare us down or take us down He is right there before us, after us, and everything between. We must at all times remain steadfast in who He is. Not letting anything get in the way of our relationship. He tells and reveals all to us beforehand, holding nothing back from us. Later in chapter 3 verses 17 and 18 Peter wrote:
“Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen”

I love that it calls our relationship with Him a “secure place” meaning well-kept and protected, but that we must keep our guard up and not give ourselves up to lies of the enemy. And that secure place is where we grow in grace and knowledge of Him! He has made a place for us to dwell with Him for the days before and between the days He comes back.  Let us not forget and always hold on to Him.

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