Daily Devotional

Have you ever felt lonely? In countless situations in life, we can experience this sensation: when we're away from home, traveling, in the hospital, imprisoned, homeless... when we lose someone we deeply love... There are many possibilities for feeling lonely. Or perhaps, you're in one of those moments where, even surrounded by people, you still feel alone.

Whatever your case may be, trust that Christ is always present! Today's verses bring a true command and promise from Jesus. He promised, and He will fulfill it because He is faithful! The disciples heard the command to make other followers, followed by the most wonderful promise: Christ is always present! If you understand this by faith, you will never feel alone again. Even if you're seemingly alone, trust that God is with you!

Jesus is with you right now!

• Believe in the Word of God, despite circumstances saying otherwise. He is with you!
• Pray and ask God to fill your heart with confidence that He will always be present.
• Obey! By obeying what Jesus commands in these verses, you'll regularly engage with others to disciple and teach them. This active involvement will also prevent feelings of loneliness.
• Read and study the Bible. Direct your attention to God's will rather than on outward appearances or feelings of sadness.
• Being alone is not good. Seek a church, talk to brothers and sisters in faith, and make new friends.
• Seek reconciliation! Perhaps you have left someone behind in your life. Forgive, ask for forgiveness, and return to communion.

Let's Pray:

“Am I only a God nearby,”
declares the Lord,
“and not a God far away?
Jeremiah 23:23

The popular saying, 'out of sight, out of mind', may explain why many people are wary of long-distance relationships. Unfortunately, many people behave in one way when they are close and another way when they are far away. The truth is that proximity to others is a determining factor in many people's behaviors and feelings.

For example, some children act badly when they are away from their parents (guardians), employees "take advantage" when their bosses are away, or spouses are unfaithful if their partner is not around. This was also the case with the Israelites in the desert when they complained to Aaron that they couldn't see God, nor Moses who was on the mountain receiving the Law from the Lord. They sinned, were unfaithful to the Lord, and built a golden calf (Ex.32) because they thought God was far away...

A Christian's life shouldn't be like that. Especially their communion with the Lord. He is the God near and far. Our relationship with Christ is based on love and trust, not on sight. Although we can't see or touch him, by faith we walk in his company, keeping the Lord in our hearts. He loved us first, so we love him too...

God is never far away, He is omnipresent and omniscient, He fills both heaven and earth. His presence is everywhere. The verse here is a reminder of the all-encompassing nature of God's existence and knowledge. The passage goes on to say that not only is he 'near and far', but that no one can hide from Him, and He is intimately involved with all aspects of creation.

Out of Sight, in my Heart

• What matters more in your life: being upright and honest (near and far) or being deceitful and unfaithful?
• Pray and recognize that God is near, even if you are far from him.
• Read the Bible and seek to obey it, doing everything for God's glory.
• Keep firm in your faith and love for God, even when you feel He is far away or silent.

Pray:

Lord, forgive me! Help me to be faithful and true to my neighbor and to you. May sincerity and truth guide my conduct, even when no one is around. You are God near and far! Help me not to turn away from you, today and always. In Jesus' name, amen!