The Lord Is At Hand

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. - Philippians 4:5-6

Nearer than our most intimate thoughts

”God is always with us. For the Christian, this is comforting, for those in rebellion against God, this should be terrifying. Paul says in Philippians 4:5-6 that ’the Lord is near,’ so not to be anxious for anything. Also, Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all nations and comforts us with the fact that He will be with us wherever we go, He promises to never leave or forsake us. Only an omnipresent God can promise that. This truth also means that even when we feel completely alone, God is nearer to us than even our most intimate thoughts.” (https://redeemerstories.com/2018/07/12/god-is-everywhere/) - Patrick O’Rourke

Experiencing God’s presence in the darkness

”Paul was dragged to prison unjustly, mishandled, mistreated, maligned, and yet God was his shield. God moved with him, directing his steps, allowing him to suffer for Christ’s sake.

The same may be said of Joseph whose brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery. Later he was lied against by Potiphar’s wife; and yet ’God was with him.’

Good men may be banished from their country, and deprived of their possessions, but never from the presence of their Protector. But this truth cannot be stretched to mean that they will be exempt from bodily harm. Rather the contrary!” (http://www.tecmalta.org/tft138.htm) - Paul Mizzi