He Is Near

Written by: Maddie Joy Fischer

“The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.” Psalm 145:18-19 

There have been many moments and seasons in my life where God seemed silent when I called to Him, even recently. Perhaps you find yourself in a similar situation as you read this. When He is quiet, it’s easy to question where He is and what He is doing, and to wonder if He is listening. 

The more I’ve walked with Jesus, the more I have discovered the reality that just because I can’t hear Him doesn’t mean that He is distant or absent. In fact, His word is filled with promises that we are never alone. Also, just because He doesn’t answer when or how I thought or hoped does not mean He isn’t listening. He promises all throughout scripture that He will hear and answer when we call. 

Be careful not to assume that you are being punished or that something good is being withheld from you when you don’t feel God’s presence. His presence is far too great to be contained in the box of our feelings. I’m so thankful for the moments when His presence can be felt tangibly and undeniably. Since His ways are always good, we can also trust His heart in the times that His hand is harder to trace. 

These moments and seasons are opportunities to seek Jesus diligently and hold fast to what has been promised to us through His word, even when we encounter something that seems to contradict what He has spoken. The foundation of our faith becomes more secure when we decide not to anchor our faith to feelings, but to the unfailing truth of His word. 

When God seems silent, ask for a Kingdom perspective beyond how things appear. Seek His face and reflect on His unfailing faithfulness through generations. Remain in His Word. Proclaim truth over your heart, mind, and circumstances, even when you struggle to believe it. When you struggle to understand what He is doing, thank Him for His goodness and surrender again to His perfect plan. Open your heart to the work of the Holy Spirit for your faith to be strengthened. Your ability to recognize Him will grow as a result. In the process, remind yourself of these truths:

He is near. He hears, and He will answer.