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Day Three
The God Who Is Near
Scripture: Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139
Have you ever found yourself asking, even crying out, “God, where are you? Do you know me? Do you care? I feel so alone. I feel like it’s all up to me.”
What if you knew the God who knows you by name? What if I told you that He knows how many hairs are on your head right now? What if I told you that He knit you together in your mother’s womb . . . that she was the blessed carrier of beautiful you? What if I told you that your spirit and your soul were handed off to her and then she grew an earth suit to encapsulate them?
What if I also told you that God desperately wants to parent you, walk with you, provide for you, guide you, and help you? How would your life be different if you knew you had the Creator of the universe defending you, loving you, growing you, and fighting your battles for you? I don’t know a single person who wouldn’t want that help from Him.
I’m telling you this because it’s the truth: you were made by the same God who formed the earth. Until you are able to know by experience that He is alive, present, and available, you will experience the separation anxiety—turmoil, fear, depression, unrest—that comes with living life as an orphan.
You can rest in God’s arms, His plan, His care. He is so near. The irony is that He is so close that sometimes we need help finding Him. He can seem so far away. We can even feel as if He’s angry with us or disappointed in us. Or perhaps you think He has bigger problems to attend to than yours.
But God promises that He cares for everything about us, including our thoughts, our words, our going out and our coming home (Psalm 139:1-4). The psalmist writes, “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!” (Psalm 139:7, nlt)
If you ask God to reveal His heart for you, He will. But here’s a warning for you: if you ask with a sincere heart, the love gusher will come! He is all love, and His love for you is personal, powerful, and ever-present.
Pray the words of Psalm 139 out loud.
Scripture
About this Plan
When you hear the word "rest", do you think of vacationing on a beach, curling up with a good book, or maybe napping? Those are all forms of rest, but this week we’re going to look at an entirely different dimension of rest—one that is available to you today, whatever your circumstances. If you are feeling fearful or overly busy, come find a place of rest right where you are.
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We would like to thank Baker Publishing for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/still-7-ways-to-find-calm-in-the-chaos-9780800737177
