Weekly Devotional by Lisa Brown

“Since the start of the Pandemic I have found each day is unique – some days are good. I feel content, comfortable, safe. Then there are days when I catch myself pushingdown feelings of panic, fear, and anxiety. There is a chair in my bedroom where I often sit to read the Bible and pray. On those days when my heart is heavy and overwhelmed, rather than sit in the chair, I sit on the floor by the chair and rest my head on the seat. I imagine myself sitting at the feet of Jesus. Although I fully believe Jesus’s promise to be with me always, this physical position reminds me ofhis presence. I wait for a sense calm to wash over my soul as the peace and security I am seeking becomes more tangible through my awareness of his companionship.

David spoke a beautiful prayer about being in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 16:8-11). Peter quoted this prayer when he spoke to the crowd in Jerusalem after the Holy Spirit was poured out at the very first Pentecost (Acts 2:25-28). I pray the words of this scripture so my heart will be transformed.

I see that the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad,
and my tongue shouts his praises!
My body rests in hope.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.
You have shown me the way of life,
and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.”

– Lisa Brown