December 26: “Experiencing God’s Presence”

5 Minute Read + Scripture readings

TODAY’S BIBLE READING:

Zechariah 9:1-17
Revelation 17:1-18
Psalm 145:1-21
Proverbs 30:32

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Psalm 145:18 (CSB): “The LORD is near all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity.”

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Sometimes in life, things can get desperately lonely. When there isn’t enough money in the bank, or we feel rejected by loved ones, or the stress at school or work is almost too much to bear, we may feel like we are all alone. We might feel that no one cares and that we are all alone.

First of all, that is rarely ever true. Typically, there are many folks who would jump to our aid if they only knew what was going on. (The Christmas story, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” beautifully illustrates this truth.)

Yet, as Jesus-followers, we don’t live only with horizontal relationships (our peers). We have a vertical relationship with God. In fact, that is to be our ultimate relationship. And our Verse for Today provides such comfort to those who will reach out to God.

Psalm 145:18 (CSB): “The LORD is near all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity.”

If we are a child of God, then God is never far away. In actuality, He is inside of us (John 14:16-17; Romans 8:9).

But, our Verse for Today is talking about experiencing God’s presence, particularly in the help that He can provide in our time of need. The verse following our Verse for Today makes this clear.

Psalm 145:19 (CSB): “He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry for help and saves them.”

So, how do we experience God’s presence when we need Him? Our Verse for Today gives the answer: 1) We have to call on him, and 2) we must call on him in truth.

“Call out to him” simply means that we pray. We cry out for help. We lay our burdens before Him and ask him to provide us with the help we desperately need.

“Call out to him in integrity” means that we aren’t engaged in disingenuous activity. Instead, our activity matches the state of our heart. We are “true” in that our behavior and heart are aligned.

In other words, we are not only crying out to God with our mouth, we are also doing so with our heart.

So, friend, do you feel as if God is distant from you? Do you particularly need Him to intercede in an area of your life? Then our Verse for Today gives the answer you’ve been looking for.