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How are you doing today? Having a great day with a sense of the Lord’s nearness? Or have you had better days and today isn’t one of them?
Life can be a battle, because we have an enemy who works overtime to make God seem far away. He works on our minds, especially when we are tired and discouraged. He feeds us a string of lies – “it will never get better - you won’t get out of this - there’s no hope - God doesn’t care for you - He has forsaken you.”
But just the opposite is true! Like today’s promise assures us - our Lord is filled with kindness and is close to praying people. Numerous Scriptures show us that He is near to us no matter how we may feel or what we are going through. His Word says, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”(a) “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.”(b) “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”(c) “For God has said I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”(d)
The truth is our Lord is always close to us. It’s only when we pay attention to Satan’s whispered lies that doubts begin to fill our minds and God seems far away. We need to deliberately choose to trust God's promises without any reservations and believe that He is the only one who can help us as we “call on him in truth.” Praying “in truth” is praying in faith and not giving up until the load is lifted – until the prayer is answered. The answer may come surprisingly soon or it may take a long time coming. The important point is that we keep on praying until the answer is realized. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” The context of that passage deals with persistence in prayer until the answer comes.(e)
So if today finds you feeling sorry for yourself – downhearted and God seems a million miles away – cry out to Him for help to focus on His promises rather than the negative stuff the enemy tells you. Start praising the Lord for His promises and claim them for your very own – and keep on doing it! Remember – “The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.”
Let’s Pray-
Father, if someone reading these comments today has fallen for the lies of the enemy – please grant them faith to claim your promises. Thank you that a sense of your presence is on the way as they call on you in truth. And Father, thank you also that “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”(f)
Amen
Footnotes:
(a) Psalm 23:9, (b) Psalm 27:10, Psalm 34:18, (d) Hebrews 13:5b, (e) Luke 11:5-10, (f) Isaiah 26:3
Life can be a battle, because we have an enemy who works overtime to make God seem far away. He works on our minds, especially when we are tired and discouraged. He feeds us a string of lies – “it will never get better - you won’t get out of this - there’s no hope - God doesn’t care for you - He has forsaken you.”
But just the opposite is true! Like today’s promise assures us - our Lord is filled with kindness and is close to praying people. Numerous Scriptures show us that He is near to us no matter how we may feel or what we are going through. His Word says, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”(a) “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.”(b) “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”(c) “For God has said I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”(d)
The truth is our Lord is always close to us. It’s only when we pay attention to Satan’s whispered lies that doubts begin to fill our minds and God seems far away. We need to deliberately choose to trust God's promises without any reservations and believe that He is the only one who can help us as we “call on him in truth.” Praying “in truth” is praying in faith and not giving up until the load is lifted – until the prayer is answered. The answer may come surprisingly soon or it may take a long time coming. The important point is that we keep on praying until the answer is realized. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” The context of that passage deals with persistence in prayer until the answer comes.(e)
So if today finds you feeling sorry for yourself – downhearted and God seems a million miles away – cry out to Him for help to focus on His promises rather than the negative stuff the enemy tells you. Start praising the Lord for His promises and claim them for your very own – and keep on doing it! Remember – “The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.”
Let’s Pray-
Father, if someone reading these comments today has fallen for the lies of the enemy – please grant them faith to claim your promises. Thank you that a sense of your presence is on the way as they call on you in truth. And Father, thank you also that “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”(f)
Amen
Footnotes:
(a) Psalm 23:9, (b) Psalm 27:10, Psalm 34:18, (d) Hebrews 13:5b, (e) Luke 11:5-10, (f) Isaiah 26:3
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If today’s promise and comments have been meaningful to you – don’t hesitate to leave a comment. (Single space gives best appearance.)
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