Double Agent November 10, 2014

²⁸ for“‘In him we live and move and have our being’"  Acts 17:28 ESV

⁷ Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence? Psalm 139:7 ESV

Where then is our God? You say, He is everywhere: then show me anywhere that you have met Him. You declare Him everlasting: then tell me any moment that He has been with you. You believe Him ready to succor them that are tempted, and to lift those that are bowed down: then in what passionate hour did you subside into His calm grace? in what sorrow lose yourself in His "more exceeding" joy? These are the testing questions by which we may learn whether we too have raised our altar to an "unknown God" and pay the worship of the blind; or whether we commune with Him "in whom we live, and move, and have our being." J. MARTINEAU.

Tileston, Mary W. (2012-05-17). Daily Strength for Daily Needs (p. 193).  . Kindle Edition.

I recently attended a social gathering that included several regular church goers who, I truly believe, were born-again Christians.  However in reviewing the evening, there were jokes told, conversations had, and words used that would have refuted that claim.  If the evening had been recorded, parts of the DVD would have been rated PG-13 with a few minutes of R thrown in for good measure.  I even allowed myself to get caught up on a couple of occasions.

Upon reflection, I wonder how the conversations had, the jokes told, and the expressions used would have changed if the function had been a class Sunday School party.  From past experience, I surmise a recording of the class affair would have been rated G or PG at worst.

The two verses for today's reading remind us that God is omnipresent, not just in the all-powerful, watching over us mode, but He is beside, around, within each of His children. He hears every word, every utterance, every joke.  His eyes witness each action, each expression, each gesture.  We cannot flee His presence.  We cannot hide anything from Him.

Do our actions testify to our beliefs?  Is our sanctified life apparent to those around us?  We owe Him our best whether alone or with a group.  Whether with at a Sunday School party or tailgating our actions should be a light to those without Christ and an encouragement to our brothers and sisters.  He is our constant audience and companion.  Let us remember He sits at the table with us.