July 30, 2026 Devo

July 30th, 2026

Powerful Words from the Prophets
“Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the LORD. “No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the LORD. – Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NLT)
“He’s Here and There”

Several years ago, I coached a pastor who lived in Australia. He had planted a church there, and I was assigned to help guide him in leading the church to growth and effectiveness. Because Australia is on the other side of the planet, I only visited him once. But we had video calls on Skype twice a month. It seemed so weird to me that I could see him and talk to him in real time, even though he was half a world away. I often told people that I loved talking to him because he assured me that the world wasn’t going to end today. After all, it was already tomorrow there! And the video technology gave me a sense of presence. Even though I was here, I was also there.
God gives us that same assurance in our passage today. He reminds His people that, unlike the local gods who are just idols on the shelf, He is truly present. AND He is very far away. God lets them know that He is both imminent and transcendent. He is right there with them in the midst of all they’re going through. He sees all that they are doing, and there is nothing that is hidden from Him. He is also everywhere they go. There is no mountain they can climb, sea bottom they can swim to, or cave they can hide in that He is not there. He is omniscient and omnipresent. In other words, He is everywhere and knows everything.
Camp on that thought for a few moments today. God is with you at this very moment, no matter what you’re doing or what you are going through. He can’t be blocked from being with you, and you can’t be hidden from Him. All those places you’re going to go today? He’s already there. Since His Presence fills the earth, He will be there waiting for you when you arrive. He’s Here. And He’s There.
Those prayers you are praying? He’s right there beside you, listening carefully to every word. Because He is also All-Knowing, He even hears the cries of your heart you can’t find words for. And those people you are praying for? He’s already with them. As you pray for Him to be with them with His grace and healing and power, He is already there. And He is ministering to them in response to your petition.
He’s an Amazing God, isn’t He? He hears, He sees, He knows. He is fully Here, and He is already There. Even if it’s the other side of the world. And He doesn’t need Skype or FaceTime to accomplish it! That’s God’s Word for you today.