Our Personal Support God

Our Personal Support God

Elisa Morgan

As I mingled with attendees at a conference, a woman introduced herself and then pointed to the pint-sized pup at her feet as her “Emotional Support Dog.” Wanting to respect her privacy, I asked no questions but when the session began and I settled into my seat, I found my eyes tracking the pooch as he watched the woman under his care. Admittedly, she seemed calmer in his presence.

At one point, she handed his leash to her husband, and left to take a break. The dog sat at attention and waited for her return. When she returned to her seat, she placed the dog back on her lap where he nestled in and gazed up at her face. For the remainder of the session, the little dog held his pose: attentive, absorbed, adoring. He was locked in with an unbreakable connection to his charge.

The focused care of dog to woman tugged at my heart. I realized: I am the object of God’s care. We are, you and me. He constantly gazes upon us, his beloved. His eyes survey our faces, observing our moods, noticing cues, identifying needs, ready to respond. He waits patiently as we hand over the leash of our connection to him to someone else and leave him in place for any length of time. Though we put him out of our minds, his gaze remains on us as he longs for our return.

He is our 24/7 personal support God.  

How often I doubt his care! A grandchild’s car fails, and I stew over how to come to the rescue. A friend shows symptoms of dementia, and I worry for her and for my potential loss of her. A ministry I love takes a dip in finances, causing layoffs and I wonder if I’m to write a larger than normal check even in my diminished earning years. Sometimes I look around and find little evidence of God’s presence or provision.

And yet, the Bible describes his 24/7 care. Take a few minutes to read through Psalm 139 – while inserting your own name in the blanks below – to remind yourself that God is your personal support God.

You have searched _____, Lord,    

and you know _____.

You know when _____ sit and when _____ rise;    

you perceive _____ thoughts from afar.

You discern _____ going out and _____ lying down;    

you are familiar with all _____ ways.

Before a word is on _____ tongue   

 you, Lord, know it completely.

You hem _____ in behind and before,    

and you lay your hand upon _____.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for _____,    

too lofty for _____ to attain.

Where can _____ go from your Spirit?   

Where can _____ flee from your presence?

If _____ go up to the heavens, you are there;    

if _____ make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If _____ rise on the wings of the dawn,    

if _____ settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide _____,    

your right hand will hold _____ fast.

If _____ say, “Surely the darkness will hide _____    

and the light become night around _____.”

even the darkness will not be dark to you;    

the night will shine like the day,    

for darkness is as light to you.

For you created _____ inmost being;    

you knit _____ together in _____ mother’s womb.

 _____ praise you because _____ am fearfully and wonderfully made;    

your works are wonderful,

    _____ know that full well. 

_____ frame was not hidden from you    

when _____ was made in the secret place,    

when _____ was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw _____ unformed body;    

all the days ordained for _____ were written in your book   

 before one of them came to be.

How precious to _____ are your thoughts, God!    

How vast is the sum of them!

Were _____ to count them,    

they would outnumber the grains of sand—    

when _____ awake, _____ am still with you.

Yes, God is our 24/7 personal support God. Let’s live like he is with us at all times …

Elisa Morgan's latest book is Fruitful Living. She is the cohost of the podcast, God Hears Her. She is also the cohost of Discover the Word and contributor to Our Daily Bread. Her other books include Christmas Changes Everything, You are Not Alone, When We Pray Like Jesus, Hello, Beauty Full, and The Beauty of Broken. Connect with Elisa @elisamorganauthor on Facebook and Instagram.