Oct 6 Devotion:The Place Beside Jesus

THE PLACE BESIDE JESUS

Exodus 33:14-15, 17-23 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

[15] And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

[17] And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

[18] And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

[19] And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

[20] And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

[21] And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

[22] And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:

[23] And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

There are millions of people this very hour wandering aimlessly through life, enduring the events of each day while the same thoughts of despair and confusion fill their minds. Millions of dollars are paid for counseling and support group programs to settle these battled weary minds and lonely hearts that are searching for their place, their purpose in this world. If we could hear the cries of all the unsatisfied hearts in this world, I believe we would hear them say; “Where can I find true happiness?” This never ending search is not for power, success, money or even love as many have thought, but rather it is the search for real joy and fulfillment that will not fade. Joy that cannot be found in relationships with others, fulfillment that can never be found in material things, in wealth or position, but a joy that fills our lives so that we never want for anything else. A joy that motivates us every morning to rise and see that the day is worth the living, a deep satisfaction of heart that longs for nothing more for it is completely and utterly content. This is the heart that has found the one and only place where true joy and contentment is found.

This place can only be found beside the Lord Jesus Himself! The place you and I were meant to occupy and live for all eternity. The Lord never intended for us to be separated from HIM but rather to be close to HIM forever. It is the separation that brings discontentment, discouragement, want, desperation, and sadness into our lives. My Christian friend, beside Jesus one is never in need of anything for HE is I AM. HE is what you need or will ever need. HE is what you want or will ever want. HE is what you hope for or could ever hope for. Jesus is more than words could ever describe for if we were to write them upon a scroll, it could not contain it, even if stretched from sky to sky. It is here right beside Jesus where your heart will melt away from all care and want, leaving but one desire, to stay a while longer. Sadness can never enter your heart when resting beside Jesus, for in HIM is complete joy, and in HIS presence tears are wiped away by HIS mighty hands of love and comfort. Burdens are lifted and the worries of life fade away in the sight of HIS Holiness.

The Lord said Himself, in (Verse 21) “there is a place beside me.” It is the place Jesus has reserved for you. Today, will you rest there this moment, beside Jesus? Will you forsake all others and give yourself unto occupying this place? It is the highest place in Heaven and it is yours as a child of God. The only other person who occupies the side of God is the Lord Jesus Himself. Do not allow the world to draw you away to another place.

Bro. Lawrence Longworth

Isaiah 61:1 “the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”