This a 5 Day devotional to remind you of three things. 1. God isn’t a distant God. 2. You’re closer to your purpose than you realize. 3. Jesus is coming back! To the believer, THAT’S EXCITING NEWS. Why? Because what we’re going through now is only temporary. I pray this devotional is helpful for your faith journey. I pray that we’re all able to see God’s presence a little clearer.
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Day 1
Scriptures: Hebrews 4:14-16, Jude 1:24-25
Closer Than You Think | Day 1 You Got Me
I realize that the phrase “You Got Me” isn’t a common one. Maybe some would say “You’ve got me” while others would say “You have me”. No matter your choice, they all have the same meaning; “You’re taking care of me”.
As a kid, I remember trust falls on the playground. Are you familiar with the trust fall activity? One person intentionally falls backward, trusting that a person or group of people will catch them. I’d cross my arms over my chest and close my eyes so tightly that even my nose would wrinkle. No matter how many other kids had successfully gone before me, and no matter how confident I had felt while watching them, all of that built-up confidence seemed to melt away when it was my turn. Needing another dose of reassurance, I would open my eyes and turn around to the person waiting to catch me and say three words: “You Got Me?”
It seems like every time God blesses me with a new opportunity or life presents a new challenge, I find myself asking God the same question: “You Got Me?” Why? As many times as I’ve seen God catch His children when they fall, there’s a part of me that needs reassurance that God will catch me too. Is He close enough to get to me in time?
Remember when Peter went on a late-night stroll with Jesus on top of the water? Well, It wasn’t exactly as peaceful as that description makes it seem. You’ve probably heard how the story goes. Peter walks out onto the water but starts to sink when he becomes aware of the winds. So often I think of this story and focus on Peter and his doubts.
Admittedly, I haven’t always noticed what the Bible was trying to teach me about Jesus because I was too focused on looking for what it could teach me about myself. All throughout the Bible, God is inviting us into His heart.
When Peter starts to sink, Jesus reaches out his hand and grabs him. When I picture this story in my head, Jesus is always standing a far distance from Peter and inviting him to come. The reality is that Jesus was closer.
Today, I want to remind us that God has us and He’s always closer than we think.
Day 2
Scriptures: Romans 5:5, Ephesians 3:17-19
Closer Than You Think | Day 2 This Kind of Love
You’re closer than I think
Closer than the air I breathe
It’s not a mystery
That I’m your child and your heart for me
Is not of this world
It’s a love so undeserved
It won’t leave you where you are
It erases every scar
– This Kind of Love!
The faithful love of God took me years to understand. I grasped the concept, but not the tangible experience of His love. I made the common mistake to let my circumstances shape my thoughts and expectations of God’s love. Can you say the same?
I think of Romans 5:5 when Paul says:
“This hope will not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
I spent so much of my life waiting for love to disappoint me. Whether through abuse or rejection by people that said that they loved me, I learned that love should be second-guessed. It was fickle. Temporal. Like cotton candy. Sweet, but it disappears as soon as you taste it. Love sounded nice, but just when I put confidence in it, I found myself being disappointed.
My first glimpse of a different kind of love came when I met my wife. Cliche? Absolutely. But her love saw me and chose to stay. She never overlooked my shortcomings but helped me to overcome them. I didn’t have to second guess it. How in the world could she love me in that way? In a way that made me feel sure, seen, and safe.
Her answer to that question was simple: “God”. My initial thought was that I must have been so hard to love that it took an ACT OF GOD to achieve it. Wrong. She was really saying that God was loving me through her. It was His love, not hers.
The second part of Romans 5:5 tells us that God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. The Comforter allows us to experience a love that goes beyond the tangible. A love that makes us feel sure, seen, and safe. A love that we can hold on to because it’s holding on to us.
This kind of love sees us but never leaves. It’s the only thing that can change everything without changing itself. In God’s love, I can rest, rooted and firmly planted.
Day 3
Scriptures: John 20:25, Mark 9:23-24
Closer Than You Think | Day 3 We Come Alive
What was once dark,
Now shines with light
Your glory fills the atmosphere
Your presence always meets us here.
We Come Alive
When Jesus initially appears to His disciples after His resurrection, one of His disciples, Thomas, wasn’t there to see it. I can only imagine what it was like to experience the death of Jesus. Every day that Jesus remained in the tomb, murmurs grew louder. I wonder how much faith it took to keep believing even as people who once believed started to fall away in unbelief. Thomas is usually associated with doubt. Even after all of his experiences with Christ, he needed proof that the Messiah had indeed risen. Doubt is a pretty harsh description. I like to think that Thomas wanted his own testimony.
I resonate with Thomas’ need for direct evidence and reassurance. Have you ever needed God to make Himself known to you for your faith to reignite? If there’s anything that we can learn about the character of Christ through Thomas’ doubting moment, it’s that He cares enough to show up.
I wrote the song “We Come Alive” out of a season of questioning. I had been serving in ministry for years and I had always been sure. Sure in my faith, sure in my convictions, and sure in God’s plan for His church. I was sure until I wasn’t sure. I was sure until I found myself waiting for God to move how and when I wanted Him to. I needed God’s presence in a moment when He felt so far.
If you have ever beaten yourself up for needing extra reassurance of God’s presence, know that you are not asking for anything God won’t gladly give His child. His glory fills the atmosphere and meets you where you are.
In John 20:25 Thomas tells the others, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands… and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” That sounds like a plea from the heart. “God, I need you to be evident in my day today”. Check out what God does for Thomas! A week later, Jesus appears to them again and this time invites Thomas to put his hand into His side.
In that moment, a spark is ignited in Thomas. “My Lord and my God!”
Day 4
Scriptures: Philippians 4:5-6, Psalms 34:18, Psalms 23:4-6
Closer Than You Think | Day 4 I’m Good
We be trippin’ on the small things
Lose our mind when it don’t go our way
Life at times can be a roller coaster
So, buckle up and just enjoy the moment
I’m in His hands
I know He’s got plans
No telling where I might go
Cause it’s only one I know
Know He’s got all control
So I’m good!
My grandma (granny) is the definition of “unbothered”. She’s been walking with God for so long that she probably hasn’t had a sleepless night since… ever. I can remember nights as a child when our electricity was out, and we didn’t have the money to get it back on. Even from my bedroom, I could hear my granny and mom worshiping in the living room. Worship? The memory of those after-hours praise breaks sits frozen in my mind. At the time, I couldn’t decide if they were brilliant or insane.
That’s pretty much how I felt the first time I read Philippians 4:5-6:
“Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Paul tells us that if we lay down anxiety, God will give us His peace and guard our hearts.
Did you catch the good news in verse 5? “The Lord is near”. He’s closer than you think. He is even in your anxious moments. When you’re facing a storm, what does your response feel like when you know that God stands beside you? Paul suggests that we stop talking to the storm and start talking to God. What would you do if you had His full attention?
Psalm 34:18 tells us that God is near to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. He’s there.
I’ve missed more than a few moments complaining to God instead of praying to Him. Anybody else? I’ve been vague in my desires instead of intentionally petitioning, and I’ve missed chances to thank God for His goodness. I missed my chance to worship.
“We’ve all seen highs and been through the valley. I know I’ll be fine. You’re always around me. I’m good.”
Day 5
Scriptures: James 5:7-8, 2 Corinthians 4:17
Closer Than You Think | Day 5 The King Is on The Way
I have some great news! The King is on the way, our salvation is near. Knowing this makes everything worth it! All the hardships, laboring, and circumstances can’t compare to the glory that is to come. Waiting was hard for me as a child and not much easier as an adult. Have you ever observed a child trying to be patient? Sometimes my daughters will ask me to play a game with them while I’m in the middle of a task. My answer is usually, “Yes, right after Daddy finishes this work. Give me a few minutes and I’ll be right there.” You would think that they would walk away satisfied, but instead, they stand there like statues. They have no intention of leaving my side until I’m ready to play. Even with all of the things they could be doing in the meantime, they decide to simply wait. Impatiently patient. I can’t help but imagine myself in that same position with God.
James 5:7-8 tells us to be patient like the farmer who waits for fruit from the earth. This is not an impatient, inactive patience. This type of patience is active and expectant. The farmer knows that there is more work to be done even in the waiting. There is preparation for the Harvest. Sometimes, when I look over at my daughters waiting for me to be ready to play, I’ll say something like: “You guys can go play until I’m ready” or “Have you made your beds yet?” (Parents understand)
Our heavenly father asks us to work in the vineyard. He tells us to spread the good news of Jesus. Have you ever felt tempted/content to just sit back and wait for Christ’s return? Good to go to work, go to church, and enjoy your family? God calls us to do more than just wait out the time. He’s calling us to act with confidence and joy that He will keep His word. He will return to take us home.
We have so much to be excited about! Our king is on the way! He’s closer than we think. While you wait, let not your heart get weary. Hold on to the truth that what we see isn’t all that is to be seen. Even our afflictions are temporary. When our King returns, everything will have been worth the wait.