God Is Right Next to You (Psalm 16:8)

　　By: Anne Peterson

　　I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.- Psalm 16:8

　　I woke up and started reading in the Word. We’re encouraged to do this as Christ-followers. It prepares us for the day. To me, it’s like nourishment. My daily bread. Little did I know one particular day how much I would really need it.

　　Just a short time later, I received a phone call. Our nephew’s son was on his way to the ER. There would be surgery. Something needed to be done about an infection that was invading the body of the sweet three-year-old.

　　I immediately went to God’s throne room, as all the verses I had read that morning bombarded my mind. The verses assuring me that God had this under control. His control. God knew beforehand I would need his assurance. Yes, I knew he would never leave me. And he’s always made good on that promise. Psalm 16 reminds us that God is always before us, in all things. And he is also right in the thick of it with us. Because of that, we will not be shaken.

　　God hears us. In Psalm 16, David reminds us why he prayed to God. David tells us that he prays because he knows God will answer. God bends down to listen as we pray.

　　David, who is called a man after God’s own heart, tells the Lord to bend down and listen. And I know I can do the same. And the good news is, all of us can. In Matthew 10:29, God tells us that he knows when even a sparrow falls. And he uses those tiny little birds to make a point. He assures us we are worth much more than sparrows.

　　God cares about what we care about. We know this is true when we read about how God gave us his most precious Son. Nothing can ever compare with that, so how can we think our requests will not be acknowledged?

　　And yet, we sometimes hear the whispers of the enemy of our soul, who tries telling us that God is finished, tired of listening to our prayers. This is a lie. A bald-faced lie. A desperate measure Satan will use to try and get us to stop talking to God. Satan knows the power that is available when any child of God is on his or her knees.

　　We are living in a crazy world. People are scared, not knowing what will happen to their families and friends. But God is still sovereign. While he is up above, he is forever watching us here on earth. As Psalm 16 tells us – he is also at our right hand. He is with us and also before us in all things.

　　God loves his children. So much that he provided a way for us to someday live with him forever. God will never tire of hearing our prayers. He tells us we can come boldly to his throne of grace and obtain mercy when we need it.

　　Here is a poem a wrote about taking God’s hand. I pray it blesses you today.

　　Take His Hand

　　I do not understand my life,

　　it’s difficult for me.

　　Some questions have no answers,

　　at least, that I can see.

　　And yet, with every year I’ve grown,

　　there is a truth that God makes known.

　　I do not have to understand,

　　but simply take my Father’s hand. - Anne Peterson

　　Anne Peterson is a regular contributor to Crosswalk. Anne is a poet, speaker, published author of 15 books, including her recent book, Always There: Finding God’s Comfort Through Loss.Anne has also written He Whispers: Poetic talks with God. Sign up for Anne’s newsletter at www.annepeterson.com and receive a free eBook. Or connect with her on Facebook.

　　Related Resource: A Fresh Way to Memorize ScriptureChristians shouldn’t just think—they should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer on the Thinking Christian Podcast! In today's episode, James is joined by co-host Maggie Hubbard and guest Natalie Abbott from Dwell Differently. Listen in to hear fresh ideas for scripture memorization and why it's so vital for Christians to write God's Word on their hearts and minds. If you love what you hear, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode.