In today’s devotional, Alexis A. Goring reminds us of a powerful, comforting truth: God is not a distant observer, watching humanity from afar. Instead, Scripture promises He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18 NIV).

Using the classic song “From a Distance” as a launching point, Alexis explores the misconception that God simply set the world in motion and then stepped away. This worldview, known as Deism, paints God as a cosmic clockmaker who lets creation run on its own. But the Bible tells a different story — one of a God who is deeply involved in the details of our lives.

From the mountaintop moments to the darkest valleys, God walks with us, comforts us, and intervenes in ways both miraculous and tender. He hasn’t abandoned His creation, and He certainly hasn’t abandoned you. His presence is a steady promise we can cling to in every season.

Today’s Key Scripture:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 NIV

Join the Conversation:
When was a time you felt God’s presence in a powerful, undeniable way? How do you remind yourself that He is near in difficult seasons? We’d love to hear your story — connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or send us a message. Let’s uplift one another with stories of God’s faithful presence!

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Full Transcript Below

God is Here 

By Alexis A. Goring

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”— Psalm 34:18 NIV

A famous song titled “From a Distance” performed by Bette Midler is the focal point for this devotional message today. 

The song romanticizes life on Earth in poetic words, saying how beautiful our experiences here on this planet are, from a distance. The lyrics paint a hopeful and optimistic view of the good in our world and inspires the listener to dream of a better state of affairs, and human relations that are harmonious. No war, no sickness, no disease and no people who are starving to eat food. Just beautiful views of nature from the oceans to the mountains and the trees. It is the kind of harmony that most humans desire. Then the lyrics say that from a distance God is watching us. And that is the concept I want to address in this devotional today.

The song has a beautiful melody but the lyrics are not theologically true because the Bible says God is with us even until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). God didn’t create our world then return to Heaven to safely watch us wreck it. No! He is very involved in human affairs and pays attention to every detail of our life. This school of thought has a name: Deism. 

According Alyssa Roat in an article titled, “What is Deism and Is It Influencing Your Faith?” published on the website for Bible Study Tools, “Deism teaches that there is a God, and that He created the world, but created things do not need His presence and the exercise of His power in order to continue in existence and fulfill their functions. The material world is placed under immutable law; while man, the rational and moral free agent, is left to do as he wills. God sustains, according to deism, very much the same relation to the universe that the clock-maker does to his timepiece. Having made his clock, and wound it up, he does not interfere with it, and the longer it can run without the maker's intervention the greater the evidence of wisdom and skill on the part of the maker. God according to deism has never wrought a miracle nor made a supernatural revelation to man.”

I’d like to challenge that belief with a note of hope: God did create this beautiful world, but He didn’t leave it to run by itself nor has He left us without any help from Heaven. God is ever-present in our world today. Just because we cannot see

In today&rsquo;s devotional, Alexis A. Goring reminds us of a powerful, comforting truth: God is not a distant observer, watching humanity from afar. Instead, Scripture promises He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18 NIV).
Using the classic song &ldquo;From a Distance&rdquo; as a launching point, Alexis explores the misconception that God simply set the world in motion and then stepped away. This worldview, known as Deism, paints God as a cosmic clockmaker who lets creation run on its own. But the Bible tells a different story &mdash; one of a God who is deeply involved in the details of our lives.
From the mountaintop moments to the darkest valleys, God walks with us, comforts us, and intervenes in ways both miraculous and tender. He hasn&rsquo;t abandoned His creation, and He certainly hasn&rsquo;t abandoned you. His presence is a steady promise we can cling to in every season.
Today&rsquo;s Key Scripture: &ldquo;The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.&rdquo; &mdash; Psalm 34:18 NIV
Join the Conversation: When was a time you felt God&rsquo;s presence in a powerful, undeniable way? How do you remind yourself that He is near in difficult seasons? We&rsquo;d love to hear your story &mdash; connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or send us a message. Let&rsquo;s uplift one another with stories of God&rsquo;s faithful presence!
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW &mdash; <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/">Your Nightly Prayer</a>
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/crosswalk-talk-celebrity-christian-interviews/">Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews</a>
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Full Transcript Below
God is Here&nbsp;
By Alexis A. Goring
&ldquo;The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.&rdquo;&mdash; Psalm 34:18 NIV
A famous song titled &ldquo;From a Distance&rdquo; performed by Bette Midler is the focal point for this devotional message today.&nbsp;
The song romanticizes life on Earth in poetic words, saying how beautiful our experiences here on this planet are, from a distance. The lyrics paint a hopeful and optimistic view of the good in our world and inspires the listener to dream of a better state of affairs, and human relations that are harmonious. No war, no sickness, no disease and no people who are starving to eat food. Just beautiful views of nature from the oceans to the mountains and the trees. It is the kind of harmony that most humans desire. Then the lyrics say that from a distance God is watching us. And that is the concept I want to address in this devotional today.
The song has a beautiful melody but the lyrics are not theologically true because the Bible says God is with us even until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). God didn&rsquo;t create our world then return to Heaven to safely watch us wreck it. No! He is very involved in human affairs and pays attention to every detail of our life. This school of thought has a name: Deism.&nbsp;
According Alyssa Roat in an article titled, &ldquo;What is Deism and Is It Influencing Your Faith?&rdquo; published on the website for Bible Study Tools, &ldquo;Deism teaches that there is a God, and that He created the world, but created things do not need His presence and the exercise of His power in order to continue in existence and fulfill their functions. The material world is placed under immutable law; while man, the rational and moral free agent, is left to do as he wills. God sustains, according to deism, very much the same relation to the universe that the clock-maker does to his timepiece. Having made his clock, and wound it up, he does not interfere with it, and the longer it can run without the maker's intervention the greater the evidence of wisdom and skill on the part of the maker. God according to deism has never wrought a miracle nor made a supernatural revelation to man.&rdquo;
I&rsquo;d like to challenge that belief with a note of hope: God did create this beautiful world, but He didn&rsquo;t leave it to run by itself nor has He left us without any help from Heaven. God is ever-present in our world today. Just because we cannot see

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

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