God Is Near
Life is full of uncertainty and challenges. I am so thankful that with God, we are never left alone in our struggles. Psalm 23:4 ESV says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
God faithfully protects and delivers those who follow him—and all are invited to call on him for help.
Did you know that God does not show favoritism? Romans 2:11 ESV says, “There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.” In other words, don’t assume that your status, affiliation, or ethnicity qualifies you for special treatment from God. Don’t assume you will get honor and peace just because you attend church. Don’t assume that people who think differently than you will get punishment.
God is not in the business of picking favorites and turning a blind eye to the truth.
Hope says that those who lean on God receive protection and safety. God will deliver them from evil by comforting them in their suffering, protecting them from danger, and entering into the experience of trial.
How incredible is it that we serve a God who promises to be with us in our pain? Psalm 34:18 ESV says, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
While we may be tempted to judge others as unworthy of God’s grace because of who they are or what they have done, we are just as likely to disqualify ourselves. Much like the Prodigal Son who opted to return to the Father’s house as a servant, we woefully underestimate our value to the Father.
I love this verse from Psalm 3:3 ESV that says, “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” If God is a shield around us, we only need to look around us to see that his presence is with us. By declaring that God is the lifter of our heads, the psalmist acknowledges that we are often right in front of God with our heads bowed low. We need God’s help even to recognize that he is with us.
Perhaps the only purpose of today’s devotional is to remind you that God is closer than you know. Ask him to be with you in your day and recognize that he already has his arm stretched toward you to lift your head and bring you into his abiding presence.
