More From Dean T. Skoglund

What would happen in my relationships with those I care about if I didn’t acknowledge them? When we meet people of any culture, we greet them. Spouses, upon waking, greet each other. My encouragement is to greet the Living God upon arising. And give a pleasant “Adios” in the evening.

God deserves our attention. The Bible teaches that God never leaves us or forsakes us. (See Heb. 13:5; Joshua 1:5.) God is forever with us and to acknowledge God’s presence means we are in God’s presence. God is in your room when you awaken from sleep, so welcome him! What a pleasing start for our day.

God is a jealous God; just saying! God warns us about turning our attention to other gods, saying, “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:5, NIV). God is jealous for us. Selah. 

God does not want us to be distracted. When we give all of our attention to our job, family, money, hobbies, sports, etc., we form a chasm in our relationship. God wants exclusive rights, and we must keep our relationship in working order.

In the morning, I take time to sit at Jesus’ feet and tell him what is on my mind, much like Mary did in Luke 10:38-42. God wants us to sit down, get our mind off other things, and focus on what he says. We are at the center of God’s attention, the apple of God’s eye (see Psalm 17:8). When we start with God, God promises to stay with us.

When we are tempted, God is with us in strength. God keeps us from yielding to temptation and gives us ample power in our fight. God never leaves during the attack, and stays to bind up our wounds, providing a balm.

When we are in trouble, distress, or anxious moments, God guides us. God leads us through shadows of darkness and evil, bringing us into the light.

In moments of loneliness, God is a constant companion. God speaks comfort to us and remains with us, keeping constant vigilance over us until we have peace.

When our feelings get hurt or we lose our way, God supports us. God goes ahead of us, removing hindrances and detours and directs us aside from those who may hurt us or lead us astray.

God is before us, behind us, on our right and our left, beneath our feet, above our head, and ever in attendance. God embraces every step we take.  

Throughout our day, we wait on the Lord with expectations that God will show. God arrives, answers, and assures us of his care for us. The Lord’s goodness and mercy flow down upon us. We wait upon the Lord for direction, and like a patient waiter standing off in the distance, God appears when we need him, for we belong to God.

We know God is there, guiding us, feeding us and giving us everything we need. When we finish, the Lord takes us by the hand and gently leads us home. Start out with God, continue with the Holy Spirit and finish exhausted, dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.