Claiming the Promises of the Psalms: The Promise of God’s Presence

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me….I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me….I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me….Your blessing is upon Your people….But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly….The Lord will hear when I call to Him….I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety (from Psalm 3 and 4 NKJV).

I’ve had trouble sleeping lately. My brain won’t turn off – I lay in bed praying for family, a dear friend in the hospital in another country, the state of our nation, etc. Last night, I must have quoted my life verse over twenty times. As is always the case, that special passage helped calm my nerves – it does exactly what it says it will do – brings me the peace of God which surpasses all understanding.

When I began this series, I knew God was leading me to examine the Psalms for His promises. In reading David’s journaling of His own struggles with sleep and concerns, God made the promise of His presence abundantly clear. He heard me and He will hear when I call to Him. It is Him that gives me peace and sleep...and makes me dwell in safety.

In the middle of the night, I picked up the novel I had been reading. The new chapter began with Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Coincidence? No, it wasn’t because that was just another reminder of the promise of God’s presence.

The “man after God’s own heart” who wrote these two Psalms continually reminded himself through trials and sleepless nights that God was always with him. I often read David’s musings and think, “He had a history with God.” Written many centuries later, a hymn named “Count Your Blessings” helps us reflect on this history.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

David said, He heard me. At another time he said, The Lord will hear me when I call to Him. Because David knew that God had heard him before, he knew that God would hear him each time He called.

Like David, I have a history with God. He has heard me and I know He will continue to hear me. When I need to be reminded of His presence, He knows just how to do it.

Remember the blessing of His presence with you in your past and be assured of His presence with you now because He is with you wherever you go.