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1 Kings 18:27

“At noon Elijah mocked them, “Yell louder! After all, he is a god; he may be deep in thought, or perhaps he stepped out for a moment or has taken a trip. Perhaps he is sleeping and needs to be awakened.”

Psalm 121

1 “I look up toward the hills.  From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth! 3 May he not allow your foot to slip! May your protector not sleep! 4 Look! Israel’s protector does not sleep or slumber! 5 The Lord is your protector; the Lord is the shade at your right hand.  6 The sun will not harm you by day, or the moon by night. 7 The Lord will protect you from all harm; he will protect your life.  8 The Lord will protect you in all you do,now and forevermore.”

Jeremiah 23:23-24

23 Do you people think that I am some local deity and not the transcendent God?”  the Lord asks. 24 “Do you really think anyone can hide himself where I cannot see him?” the Lord asks. “Do you not know that I am everywhere?” the Lord asks.  

Praise God that our God is not a statue or piece of ancient rubble.  So many false gods that man has created, and yet none ever chose to come in the form of man and lay down His life for His creation except for the One true LORD – Jesus Christ.  None chose to leave His throne and inhabit sinful man, except for Jehovah-Tsidkenu (translated means The Lord our Righteousness; Jesus is the King who would come from David’s line, and is the One Who imparts His righteousness to us).  Today my heart is filled with joy to consider that our God is omniscient, omnipresent, and never unaware!  He is our protector and always available.

He is near to all who call upon Him with a sincere heart.  ALL.  How amazing to consider – the wretched can turn from their ways and cry out to God and He will hear.  Unfathomable.  Unmerited.  But that is our God – merciful, compassionate, faithful to a thousand generations.

It is so sad to see people serving a god who is not a god at all.  Their very acts of service testify to the lack of character of their invented god.  Killing people to please a god?  Not my God.  He took the place of the worst violator and died Himself instead.  Praying rote prayers to please a created deity?  Not my God – He wants to to talk with us and wants us to know Him.  Demanding good works, which include harming and raping innocent people?  My God would not call those good works, but evil, and instead asks that we believe.  Our good works are filthy rags to Him, anyway, which is why He is our righteousness.  Demanding that the unbeliever be killed?  Not my God – He says to love the unbeliever and pray for his salvation.

God is not far off.  Numb with busyness or pain, we tend to forget just how close He is.  Our devotions do not have to look perfect or be in an unencumbered, perfect setting to be able to communicate with the Almighty God.  No, we can pray continually, in constant conversation with our God Who sees and knows all.  He is nearer than we realize.  Come to Him!

Lord, thank You that You chose me and opened my eyes to know You.  I want to know You more.  Help me to never forget how close You are.