The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

— Deuteronomy 31:8

“… and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

— Matthew 28:20

Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

— Joshua 1:9

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

— John 6:44

The LORD appeared to us from far away, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.

— Jeremiah 31:3

Blessed is the one You choose and bring near to dwell in Your courts! We are filled with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple.

— Psalm 65:4

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Though we might feel that God seems far away from us, He is actually never indifferent toward or disconnected from us.
The Bible reveals that God is exalted above us in every way yet yearns to draw us close. His heart is toward us even though sin has rendered our hearts naturally rebellious. God takes the initiative to restore repentant sinners and call us into intimate fellowship with Him. God has made a way for us to draw near to Him through His Son.

Our Almighty God has a timely message to all of His people: “Return to me, and I will return to you.” God longs for His people to repent and wholeheartedly seek Him. God has always wanted more for His children than external compliance to His laws or habitual participation in a religious system. He yearns for His children to return to Him and He makes a way for us to do so. God longs to bless and restore repentant sinners. May God give us hearts to respond to His gracious call.