God is near us

 December 22

Scripture Reading

Read Deuteronomy 4:5-8 and reflect on the passage.

Where are you, God? Have you ever felt as though He wasn’t there? I think most everyone, at one time or another, has felt as though God wasn’t particularly near. Each of us seems to experience that season in life when we’re walking with the Lord, but for a variety of reasons, just can’t seem to hear from Him or sense His presence. We talk to Him, pray, sing, even try to quiet ourselves and simply listen—not an easy thing, especially for extroverts! But nothing. And we wonder where He is.

One Sunday morning, we sang the following words and I was reminded of where He is:

“As I rise…go before, lift me up; As I wake…look upon, be my sight; As I wait…satisfy and sustain; As I hear…lead me on, be my guide; As I go, hand of God…by my side; As I rest, breath of God…bring me peace; Above and below me, before and behind me, in every eye that sees me Christ be all around me.”

That’s where He is: always near us—even when we aren’t able to feel or hear Him; all around us—nearer than we can imagine.

Questions

1.      Have you experienced a time when God felt far away? If so, how did you respond? How did you draw closer to Him?

2.      Have you had an experience when you could feel God’s presence closely and powerfully? What was that like for you and those around you?

  

Prayer

Lord, as we wait and watch for God with us, let our prayer be Christ be all around us, trusting in Your nearness always. Amen.

—Becki Bork