Daily Journal: 24 July

God is Not Far Off

or Distant

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 thoughts that tie me up in knots and pester me and distort my rational. Those thoughts chase me and bring me no peace. But here's what God's word brings me:

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.

I can think that God is far away and cannot read my thoughts, doesn't understand my distress. But He is near, near enough to know my every thought and wherever I am. He cares about what is going on inside my head and my heart. He doesn't want me to fall to irrational thinking, false beliefs, accusations or even dismissals of me. He wants me to know:

Psalm 18:2 (NCV)

The Lord is my rock, my protection, my Savior. My God is my rock. I can run to him for safety. He is my shield and my saving strength, my defender.

The word of God is my safety.

His Word brings life. It ushers in peace as it 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. Hasn't He said:

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.

How close do you feel God is to you? Can you meditate on these verses and take up a new position of faith?

Even though we know you see all things, God, I pray that we would know You are not far off or distant from us. I pray we would know and experience the nearness of Your presence today as we turn our hearts toward You, submit our thinking to You, and seeking You, because You love us.