“‘Am I a God near at hand,’ says the Lord, ‘and not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?’”

Jeremiah 23:23-24

“‘Am I a God near at hand,’ says the Lord, ‘and not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?’” Jeremiah 23:23-24. Do you act as if God were far off? If you understood the God Who Is Near, it would influence all your life. God is present to hear every conversation at work and within your family. He’s not just with you when you’re at church or when you pray; He is near to you as you play sports and as you drive the car. “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

It would be hard to stretch the truth if you fully realized God was near when you spoke, because God is truth. It would be hard to sin if you realized God was near, because God is pure. It would be hard to gossip about people or rip them up if you realized God is near, because God loves everyone. If you realized that God is near, you would be more honest with money, more forgiving of others and more disciplined in prayer. What would you change if you experienced God’s presence?

The promises of peace these prophets make are no more to be compared to God’s promises than chaff to wheat. The unhumbled heart of man is like a rock; if not melted by the word of God as a fire, it will be broken to pieces by it as a hammer.

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The Lord is present with mighty power to save

God writes this warning to the many false prophets in Jeremiah’s time. He reaffirms that He sees all and that judgement will come soon to those who oppose Him and His Word. What might be a fearful statement to those who oppose God can actually be received as a message of hope and reassurance to those who love Him. The Lord promises believers His presence, His power, and His love. There is nowhere we can hide. We can be confident in this. We can believe this. We don’t have to fear Him. The Lord is in the midst of us – whether we believe or not; whether we sense it or not.

The Lord is present with mighty power to save. He can save us from the bondage of sin, from the misery of our circumstances, and from the battlefield of our minds and our hearts. Although He sees the secrets of our hearts, our mistakes, and our failures, He rejoices that we have the righteousness of Christ. He quiets our fears, our worries, and our inadequacies with the power of His love. Is the fact that God sees all a warning to you, or is it an encouragement to you? Will you trust that the Lord is with you even when you don’t sense Him? If you have surrendered your life to the Lord, will you choose to believe that the Lord rejoices in you? Will you refuse to focus on feelings of unworthiness?

The unhumbled heart of man is like a rock; if not melted by the word of God as a fire, it will be broken to pieces by it as a hammer.

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Reflections: You will change when you realize God is near.

Prayer: Father God, You continue to amaze me with Your persistent love for ordinary flawed people…ordinary people who often resist Your love. You woo us, pursue us, wait patiently for us with Your arms wide open offering Your unfailing love. When we become Yours, we are Yours for eternity, without hesitation, regret, or disappointment. Forgive me, Lord, when I allow feelings of unworthiness to prevent me from believing Your truth. Forgive me, Lord, when I allow feelings of failure and unworthiness to send me hiding from You. Thank You, Lord, that I am not invisible to You and Your love for me fills the heaven and earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION