Too Far Away

Daily Reading: Isaiah 19

Scripture Focus: He will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them. (Isaiah 19.20)

Devotional Thought: "I'm too far away."  That was the clear message that I got from Bridgett as we sat in my office.  She had come in to the church needing financial help, and in the interview process, I invited her to become a part of the family of God.  She was far, far removed from spiritual life and understanding.  But, do you know what happened?  Bridgett trusted God to accept her right where she was.  And he did!  Bridgett became a wonderful member of the church, finding her place in the family of God.  She wasn't too far away after all!

Have you ever felt yourself too far away?

If anyone had reason to feel that way, it would have been the Egyptians.  They had oppressed and enslaved God's people for four hundred years.  Their leaders had refused to listen to God's message of deliverance for the Israelites; consequently they suffered the loss of their firstborn sons.  Even after letting the Israelites go, those obstinate Egyptians chased them to the Red Sea.  And, once again they suffered a great loss - this time their army.  Were these enemies of God too far away?

Centuries later, God had a message for the Egyptians.  He was going to "send them a savior and defender, and deliver them" (Isaiah 19.20).  Though they once had been the oppressor, they now needed deliverance from oppression.  Did God think they were too far away?  No.  Instead he said, "Blessed be Egypt my people."

The Bible says that "While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son" (Romans 5.10).  Even when we were far from God, we were not out of the reach of his love.  We are never too far away!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that I am not too far away from you.  Thank you for your great love to me.  Even when I was a sinner, Christ died for me.  By faith, I receive your love and give you my love in return.  In Jesus name, amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 53.1-6

1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.

3 They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

4 Have those who work evil no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?

5 There they are, in great terror, where there is no terror! For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you; you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.

6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.