As a mom of three, one of my biggest fears is to lose my kids in the mall or any public place. So back when they were all below seven years old, I had to strap my eldest in my arm through a child leash, my toddler in a stroller, and the youngest I wore in my body through a carrier. Yes, it was really a challenge to bring them all out, but I had no choice. I needed to keep them away from danger and so I kept them really close to me whenever we are in public.
Looking back into all of these, I cannot help but think of why we need to cling to God at all times. We need to cling to Him during bad times, we need to cling to Him during good times, we need to cling onto Him during ordinary days, and we also need to cling to Him when we know we might face temptations.
“For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:7-8
When we keep ourselves attached to the Lord, we get to be more aware of His presence. We will be mindful of our blessings amidst challenges in our lives. We will be aware of His protection in the face of danger. We will be comforted by His presence when we are sick, in despair, and in really sad situations.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8
So how do we practically cling unto the Lord in our everyday life? Well, we start our days with prayer. We adjust our waking time much earlier than we are used to and dedicate the first minutes of our days thanking, praising, and asking for guidance from our Lord.
We then dedicate time to immerse ourselves in His words by reading the bible regularly, taking notes on His messages through the scriptures, and reflecting on what the day’s word means to our lives.
If we do not know where or how to start reading the bible, we can start by reading a daily devotional book and then reading the recommended scriptures in our Bible. We can also download an online app for Bible where they have suggested reading plans. Then of course, we can also dive into Bible reading, and one of the best places to start is the Gospel of John. (More tips on how to start reading the bible in my previous post here). The point is, we should try to learn more about God, His character and teachings, by setting aside time to read the Bible daily.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:13-14
Then of course, we cling unto God by praying to Him before we go to sleep. To thank Him for everything that transpired throughout the day, saying sorry for our mistakes, and bringing to Him our concerns. When we intentionally seek Him, we become more aware of His presence in our lives.
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
We also fill our lull times throughout the day with God’s word by listening to praise music, or homilies and preachings. This way, we get to be more familiar with God’s promises, how we can please Him more, and how He is towards His people.
When we intentionally saturate our lives by filling it with God’s word, we consequently cling unto His presence. And so whenever we are faced with difficulties, problems, and even temptations, we will be reminded about God’s word, His commands, His promises, and His character. And when we feel that we are blessed, we will remember His graciousness, His favor, and His eternal love for us. And when we make mistakes, we will know in our hearts that if we will just ask for His forgiveness and repent, He will be faithful and merciful, and will make our hearts clean.
When all these things are in our hearts and minds, we will be aware of God’s presence each time, and we will be less tempted to commit sins. And if ever we fall, our sensitivity to sin will prompt us to mend our ways and return to God. This in turn will safeguard us from the dangers of the natural consequences of our sin and keep us from losing our way, as well as losing our peace with God.
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on Psalm 63 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you try your best to cling unto God no matter your life situation?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for allowing me to cling unto you. Thank you for redeeming someone like me, and making it possible for me to seek God. Please grant me the confidence to try my best to keep seeking God and His presence in my life. Amen.
