This week’s devotions are based on “Rooted: Finding My Identity in Christ: I am Connected! (WATCH HERE)
Ephesians 2:13-17 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
There are moments when God can feel far away. Maybe you have had a difficult week. Maybe you have failed in a way that makes you wonder how God could still love you. Maybe you have prayed and heard only silence. Or perhaps you simply feel spiritually tired. In those moments, it is easy to believe that you have somehow drifted too far from God.
Today God gives you a beautiful reminder: your relationship with God does not depend on how close you feel to Him. It depends on how close Christ has brought you.
Paul writes, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).
Those words, “but now,” change everything.
You were far off. But now you are near.
You were separated. But now you belong.
You were without hope. But now you have peace with God.
And notice who does the work. Christ brings you near.
We sometimes imagine that our relationship with God depends on our ability to reach Him. We think that if we pray enough, read the Bible enough, serve enough, or become a better Christian, then God will be pleased with us. But the Gospel tells us something completely different. We do not climb our way up to God. Christ came down to us.
He came into our broken world. He took our sin upon Himself. He shed His blood on the cross. He rose again. And through His death and resurrection, He opened the way for sinners to come home.
Hebrews 10:19 says, “We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.” Our confidence is not found in ourselves. It is found in His blood.
Think about that today. When you feel unworthy, Christ brings you near. When you have failed, Christ brings you near. When you feel forgotten, Christ brings you near. When your faith feels weak, Christ brings you near.
You don’t have to work your way back to Him. You don’t have to convince Him to love you again. You don’t have to make yourself worthy of His presence.
Christ has already done it.
So when God feels far away, don’t measure His presence by your feelings. Look to His promises. Look to Christ.
You may feel far away today, but Jesus says something stronger than your feelings:
“I have brought you near.”
Reflect: When have I been tempted to believe that God is far away? What promise of Christ can I hold onto today?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for coming near to me when I was far from You. Thank You for Your cross, where You paid for my sin and opened the way to the Father. When I feel distant, remind me that Your promises are stronger than my feelings. Help me rest in Your forgiveness and trust that I am never beyond Your reach. Keep me close to You through Your Word and Your gifts of grace. Amen.