Daily Devotional

My family has always known they have immediate access to me no how busy I am. When they were young my secretaries were told to inform me whenever they stepped into the office. No matter what I was doing, I came out to give them a big hug and a piece of candy.  

My ministry staff also knows I will answer their calls as soon as possible. In fact, my door is always open (unless I am counseling someone). They also know they can have fifteen minutes of uninterrupted time no matter what I am doing.  

I  am reminded today of the many wonderful passages in the Bible showing how accessible our great God is:
 
Psalm 46:1 - “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in  trouble.”
 
Psalm 73:28 - “. . . the nearness of God is my good . . .”  
 
Hebrews 4:16 - “. . . let us draw near with confidence to the throne  of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
 
Hebrews 10:22 - “. . . let us draw near with a sincere heart in full  assurance.”
 
 I am also blessed by the words of the second stanza of the old hymn, "Day by Day", written in 1865 by Swedish poet, Lina Sandell, several years after she witnessed the tragic drowning of her father. The song begins:

"Day by day and with each passing moment,  
Strength I find to meet my trials here."

I am especially prompted in my daily activities to consider the words from the second stanza:

"Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour.
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counselor and Power."
 
Precious brothers and sisters in Christ, God is with us today. What an incredible thought! But there’s another side of this great truth to consider. I am intrigued by King David’s prayer in Psalm 139. After elaborating on the wonder of God’s presence with him, David ends with a declaration of his presence with God:  
 
Psalm 139:18 - “When I awake I am still with You.”
 
Simply stated: God is with us. It’s time to ask: Are we with Him? Draw near to  Him today! His door is always open!

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation