Reflection #1 on "It Is You" by Newsboys  [song lyrics]

• originally released by solidsounds.org, 09/29/2003
• author: Suzy C.
• scripture reference:
  Matthew 18:20; Psalm 139:7; Genesis 3:8; Jonah 1:3; Hebrews 4:13

	From the album "Thrive" (2002) Read the song lyrics...

" 'For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst' " (Matthew 18:20 NASB).

In the song "It Is You," the Newsboys ask the question,

As we lift up our hands,
Will You meet us here?
As we call on Your Name,
Will You meet us here?

The answer from the lips of Jesus is a most definite, "Yes!" Anytime we gather together in His name, He is there.

The Bible tells us our God is omnipresent. That means He is everywhere all the time. As David wrote, "Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence" (Psalm 139:7 NASB)?

Many have tried to flee from the presence of the Lord. Adam tried it in the Garden of Eden after he and Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit. The Bible says they "hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God" (Genesis 3:8 NASB). Jonah tried to flee "from the presence of the LORD" (Jonah 1:3 NASB) and ended up in the belly of a great fish.

It is impossible to hide from God. The Bible tells us that everything is "open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13 NASB).

But what Jesus is talking about here is something beyond just the omnipresence of God. He is talking about a presence of compassion--about His presence of love and care.

Matthew 18:20 begins with the word "for." The use of the word "for" here means this verse is connected to those that precede it. In those verses, Jesus is talking about getting along with each other, about prayers' being answered, about the love of the man who leaves the 99 sheep to find the missing one.

The "presence" described here, and the "presence" the Newsboys sing about, is the presence of a loving, holy God--One who deserves all our devotion, and One from whom all love and life flow. This is a presence we seek to enter and stay in, not one from which we seek to flee. This is the presence of the One who loved us enough to die for us. This is the presence we can enjoy anytime we gather to worship Him.

God never misses a worship session. He is there where you are right now: call on Him and He will meet you there!

--Suzy C.

Scripture Reference:
Matthew 18:20; Psalm 139:7; Genesis 3:8; Jonah 1:3; Hebrews 4:13