5 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.’ ”
Genesis 28:16 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
One of the many themes that run through the entirety of the Bible is this: God never, ever is far away from us while we are living on this earth. Even unbelievers, as long as they are on this side of death’s door, experience God’s presence (to an extent) and God’s blessings.
God’s blessings – Matthew 5:45 (CSB): “… For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
God’s presence – Acts 17:27 (CSB): “He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”
When we reflect on this truth, we cannot help but realize that when we feel that God is a million miles away, that is completely untrue.
You’ve felt that God is a million miles away before, haven’t you? When life got unspeakably hard, have you had times when you felt all alone? When you desperately needed an answer from God, didn’t it sometimes seem that your prayers got no higher than the ceiling?
Well, my friend, this is why we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We rest in what God has said is true, not in what we are feeling in the moment.
The truth is that you are never, ever away from God’s presence. While Jacob’s words made it clear that he was surprised to find that God was with him on his journey to Paddan-aram, we shouldn’t be surprised at this truth.
If you are at church or by yourself at home, God is with you.
If you are in your hometown or on a mission trip in another country thousands of miles from home, God is with you.
If things are going well for you or your world has quite literally fallen apart, God is with you, my friend.
Hebrews 13:5–6 (CSB): “… he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. Therefore, we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
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Lord Jesus, thank You for the promises and assurances that You are always, ALWAYS, with me. I am never truly alone. In fact, I am reminded in Romans 8:9 that you are not only with me, Your Holy Spirit is in me! Thank You, Jesus! In want to rest in this truth today. Amen.
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Matt’s Musings 