In the middle of our storms and terrors, Jesus passes close by us to check on us. He is waiting for us to acknowledge our fear and need for him so that we will ask him to join us in our worst nightmares and help us through our troubles. Jesus' words here are literally, "Take courage! I Am." God revealed himself to Moses in Exodus 3 as "I Am," the God who always was and will be and is right now. God used this name, "I Am," to remind Moses that he heard the cry of the Israelites, had seen their hardship, and was now coming down to help them. Jesus does the same for us" "Take courage!" he tells us, "I Am. Don't be afraid!"

Thank you, O God, for being present and close by — always waiting to respond to my cry of distress and fear. Forgive me for not inviting you, the LORD, the great "I Am," into a more active daily role in my life. I know you are near, so I ask that you not only make your presence known but gently confront me when I push you to the periphery of my daily life. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.