In the Word: The Lord is There

Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be looking at different names of God found in Scripture, and how these different aspects of who He is offer us hope in the midst of our grief.  As we study together, we encourage you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you study these names of God along with us! 

Jehovah—Shammah: “The Lord is There”

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10

READ:

In the wake of pregnancy loss, as we navigate the waves of grief, it can appear that God is anywhere but with us. Questions bombard our minds as we feel the pain and try to reconcile how a loving God could allow such sorrow to overcome His children. Where is God in this loss? Where is God in this hurt? Where was God when my child’s heart stopped beating? It can seem as though our Father has abandoned us, leaving us to fend for ourselves, to put the pieces back together on our own.

Yet, if we take a look at Scripture, we see evidence that He is always with us, even in the pain, just as He was with those who walked during the biblical age. We can rest assured that our God is always present. He holds us as we grieve, and as we adopt a new normal without our babies. Isaiah 41:10 states, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Likewise, Joshua 1:9 proclaims, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Ladies, as we grieve, we can remain confident that our God is right beside us, holding our hand, and covering us with His feathers (Psalm 91:4), as we walk through life after loss. We do not need to fear abandonment. He goes with us, now and until the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Just as He was with Noah, Moses, Joshua, Esther, David, and many more, so He is with us. He is our Jehovah-Shammah.

REFLECT:

1. Where else in Scripture can you find confirmation of the Lord’s nearness at all times? 
2. Based on those verses, how does God’s promise of presence give you peace during your sorrow?

JOURNAL:

Take some time to journal the ways God has shown up for you in past trials. Record instances of His presence in your life, and His past faithfulness. Ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you this day, and then posture yourself to experience His love, strength, and promise of presence.

Brittnie lives in Sugar Land, Texas and enjoys writing on her blog and other outlets, baking, lingering coffee dates, and soaking in moments with her family. She is a wife to Brandon and a mom to Clara, Camille, and Hope Mom to Baby A (Clara’s twin) and Chance. Psalm 62:1-2 is her go to verse when she needs quick encouragement. She is author of Desert Song, and you can visit with Brittnie at her personal blog, A Joy Renewed, where she shares her faith and family, and encourages her readers to claim joy despite circumstance.

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