Daily Journal: 24 July

God is Not Far Off

or Distant

This journal entry is an accompaniment to Daily Journal: 23 July: How Can God Comfort Me?

When I am deeply distressed, it’s best I don’t think for myself. I run to God’s word to direct my thoughts.

To those who don’t know Him, this sounds like a disclaimer of self. In fact, it is a disowning of those thoughts that tie me up in knots and pester me and distort my rational. Those thoughts chase me and drive me and bring me no peace.

The word of God not only brings peace but gives direction, comfort, wisdom and understanding, a new clarity and the perspective I need. It stabilises me and quietens all my churned-up places that cause inflammation in my thinking and the way I relate with others. The word of God is a place of solace and reconstruction and deep, deep comfort.

God is near to those who seek Him.

Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NLT)

Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the Lord. “No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the Lord.

Psalm 139:1-10 (GWT)

O Lord, you have examined me, and you know me. ² You alone know when I sit down and when I get up. You read my thoughts from far away. ³ You watch me when I travel and when I rest. You are familiar with all my ways. ⁴ Even before there is a single word on my tongue, you know all about it, Lord. ⁵ You are all around me—in front of me and in back of me. You lay your hand on me. ⁶ Such knowledge is beyond my grasp. It is so high I cannot reach it. ⁷ Where can I go to get away from your Spirit? Where can I run to get away from you? ⁸ If I go up to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, you are there. ⁹ If I climb upward on the rays of the morning sun or land on the most distant shore of the sea where the sun sets, ¹⁰ even there your hand would guide me and your right hand would hold on to me.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (AMP)

Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

I pray that we would know today that God is not far off or distant. I pray we would know and experience the nearness of His presence today and every day as we turn our hearts toward Him, and seek Him.