Challenge139 — Day 65

FILAS Women Online
Devotional for a deeper, more intimate walk with the God who knows you completely.

Today’s Scripture

Psalm 139:5 (KJV)
“Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.”

Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Devotional Reflection

He Is Near

Sis, sometimes we don’t need someone to tell us everything is going to be okay. Sometimes we don’t need another explanation, another piece of advice, or even another answer. Sometimes what our hearts desperately need is simply to know, “I’m not alone in this.” Psalm 139:5 gives us that assurance. David says, “Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.” What a picture of God’s presence. He is behind us, before us, and His hand is upon us. We are surrounded by a God who refuses to leave us to navigate life by ourselves.

Even in this moment of your life where you may feel as if God is not present – oh sis, He is present and he is presence! God is closer than you think.

There are moments, however, when God’s nearness doesn’t always feel obvious. Pain can make Him seem distant. Disappointment can make us question where He is. Grief can fill a room so completely that we struggle to recognize anything else. We can pray and still hurt. Worship and still cry. Believe God and still have questions. Yet Psalm 34:18 gives us a promise for those very moments: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.”

Notice that Hi Word does not tell us God waits for our hearts to heal before He comes near. He comes near to the broken heart. He isn’t intimidated by our pain. He doesn’t avoid us because we’re struggling. He doesn’t require us to clean up our emotions before entering His presence. In fact, some of our most intimate encounters with God happen in the places where we have nothing left to pretend.

At times when you feel alone and the tears begin to roll down your face – He’s there! To comfort you, to love on you! There have been times in my own life where I have felt like “my lonesome” and did not feel that God was in the midst of my loneliness but now I know different. That God shows up even more in my loneliness!

Maybe your heart isn’t broken today, but perhaps it’s tired. Maybe you’re carrying disappointment, uncertainty, loneliness, frustration, or a burden you haven’t told anyone about. Sometimes we become so accustomed to carrying things that we don’t even realize how heavy they have become. But Sis, whatever you’re carrying today, you aren’t carrying it alone.

Psalm 139 reminds us that His hand is upon us. Think about what a hand can communicate without saying a word. A hand can comfort. A hand can guide. A hand can steady. A hand can protect. Sometimes a hand resting on your shoulder simply says, “I’m here.” That’s the picture I want us to hold today: God’s hand is upon you.

Yesterday we reminded ourselves that when we call, He hears us. Today, let’s remember that the God who hears us isn’t listening from some faraway place. He is near. Before you ever whispered His name, He was already present. Before the tears fell, He knew they were coming. Before your heart broke, He knew exactly where He would meet you in the broken pieces.

We often ask God to change what is happening around us, and there is nothing wrong with that prayer. But sometimes His first answer isn’t changing the situation. Sometimes His answer is His presence within it. He sits with us. Strengthens us. Holds us. Walks with us. And little by little, we discover that His presence can sustain us even before our circumstances change.

So today, Sis, don’t mistake a difficult season for an absent God. Don’t let what hurts convince you that He has stepped away. He is behind you. He is before you. His hand is upon you. And when your heart is hurting, He draws near.

You are not walking alone.

God is near.

Journal Prompt

Take a moment and think about an area of your life where you’ve been asking:

“God, where are You?”

Now ask a different question:

“God, how have You been present with me in this?”

Write down three ways you can recognize God’s presence, protection, provision, comfort, or guidance—even if your situation hasn’t changed yet.

Finish with:

“Lord, help me recognize Your presence even when I cannot understand my circumstances.”

Today’s Challenge

Practice His Presence

Today, set aside five quiet minutes.

No asking God to fix anything.

No list of requests.

No trying to figure anything out.

Simply sit quietly and remind yourself:

God is here.

Place your hand over your heart and slowly say:

“You are behind me.”

“You are before me.”

“Your hand is upon me.”

“You are near.”

Then carry that truth with you throughout your day. Whenever worry, loneliness, frustration, or sadness rises, pause and whisper:

“God, I know You are here.”

Today’s Prayer

Lord, thank You for being near. Thank You that I don’t have to walk through any part of my life alone. You are behind me, You are before me, and Your hand is upon me. When my heart hurts, remind me that You draw close to the brokenhearted. When I cannot feel Your presence, help me trust what Your Word says about Your presence. When I am tired, steady me. When I am hurting, comfort me. When I am uncertain, guide me. And when I am tempted to believe that I have been forgotten, remind me that Your hand has never left me. Help me recognize You in every season, even before my circumstances change. Thank You for hearing me, holding me, and staying near. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sis, Remember This…

God’s presence isn’t proven by the absence of problems. His presence is the promise that you don’t face them alone.

Sis, He is behind you. He is before you. His hand is upon you. He is near. 💗