God’s nearness isn’t just a theological truth—it’s a personal experience that meets us exactly where we are. Deuteronomy 4:7 reminds us that we serve a God who draws close whenever we call on Him. In seasons of uncertainty, waiting, or emotional weight, His presence often becomes more meaningful than the answers we’re seeking.

Prayer isn’t only about outcomes—it’s about connection. While we may come to God hoping for clarity or resolution, what He often gives first is Himself. In that nearness, we find peace, strength, and reassurance that we are not alone. Even when circumstances don’t immediately change, His presence steadies us and reminds us that He is already at work.

Highlights
God is near to us whenever we call on Him
His presence often matters more than immediate answers
Prayer is an invitation into relationship, not just requests
God prepares and strengthens us before we face कठिन moments
His nearness brings peace, comfort, and clarity
Scripture reveals God’s compassionate and personal nature

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Full Transcript Below:

His Nearness Is What I Needed

By Lauren Fletcher

Bible Reading:

“For what great nation has a god as near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we call on him?” - Deuteronomy 4:7

I have recently been reading a book by Wendy Blight called Rest for Your Soul. In it, she talks about prayer. She describes a time when she was calling out to God amidst a struggle and didn’t hear from Him:

“I had a choice to make. I could believe what I was studying, reading, and learning, or I could allow anger, fear, and doubt to continue ruling my soul. What I came to realize during that time (though it was a decade-long journey) was that God was with me. And over those years, though my circumstances didn’t always change, my courage to stand firm in them rose because I knew I was not alone” (Rest for Your Soul).

A few pages later, Wendy writes, “Jesus invites us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He may not fix everything at that moment. In fact, He probably won’t. But it’s an invitation to come and sit with the only One who can give you rest in the middle of the mess” (Rest for Your Soul).

What I started to wonder about prayer is if maybe it isn’t about getting an answer from God for a particular need, but about recognizing His Presence and experiencing Him, that prayer is about communication with God.

I went through some mental health testing earlier this year. I had been awaiting the results, eager to get the treatment I needed. Yesterday morning, I woke up and read my Bible, as usual. What was different was how present God was with me. Every scripture I read, I felt like God was speaking directly to me, to my heart, like it was just for me. I could hear Him, feel His presence. I was touched and grateful.

Later that day, I got part of the news I had been awaiting for weeks. I received my diagnosis. As I processed this, I realized that a reason God had been close that morning is that He knew what I would hear that day—He knew I would hear the results of my testing. He wanted me to know He was there.

More than hearing a specific word, what I needed, what I cherished most, was God’s presence, to know He was with me. His nearness is what I needed.

One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 34. In it, David says, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18). God knows when we need Him, and He shows up.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

The Bible also shows that when we pray to the Lord, He draws near. In Deuteronomy, it says, “For what great nation has a god as near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we call on him?” (Deuteronomy 4:7). The Psalmist also writes, “I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:1-2). He listens to our prayers and draws near to us as we pray. He is a personal God.

Just like I could feel His nearness as I read the scripture yesterday morning, I could also sense His heart—we can learn more about who He is in that place of nearness. Psalms 103 says, “The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love” (Psalm 103:8). This description of God is found throughout the Bible. David also describes how God is as a Father: “The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust” (Psalm 103:13-14). Have you ever had a time when you felt God’s presence so close to you? Did you learn anything in that place of nearness about Him?

Something I think about is when I got the initial call to do testing. God was in this. It felt like the answer to a prayer I hadn’t prayed—I had such peace about it. I also think about how the plans fell so perfectly into place for me to go out of town and do the testing. God had been in the whole process, and He continued to be close.

Has there been a time in your life when you have walked through a difficult season but sensed the Lord’s Presence with you? What did that feel like? Was He steadying, comforting, or encouraging? In Psalms 34, David writes, “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time” (Psalm 34:19). We are righteous through Christ. He will come to help us every time

Further Reading:

Psalm 145:18

James 4:8

Jeremiah 29:13

Isaiah 7:14

Hebrews 13:5

Deuteronomy 31:8

God&rsquo;s nearness isn&rsquo;t just a theological truth&mdash;it&rsquo;s a personal experience that meets us exactly where we are. Deuteronomy 4:7 reminds us that we serve a God who draws close whenever we call on Him. In seasons of uncertainty, waiting, or emotional weight, His presence often becomes more meaningful than the answers we&rsquo;re seeking.
Prayer isn&rsquo;t only about outcomes&mdash;it&rsquo;s about connection. While we may come to God hoping for clarity or resolution, what He often gives first is Himself. In that nearness, we find peace, strength, and reassurance that we are not alone. Even when circumstances don&rsquo;t immediately change, His presence steadies us and reminds us that He is already at work.
<hr data-start="698" data-end="701">
Highlights
<ul data-start="719" data-end="1128">
<li data-section-id="emcv1y" data-start="719" data-end="764">God is near to us whenever we call on Him</li>
<li data-section-id="78vfdx" data-start="765" data-end="823">His presence often matters more than immediate answers</li>
<li data-section-id="1qofyuy" data-start="824" data-end="888">Prayer is an invitation into relationship, not just requests</li>
<li data-section-id="b7ilil" data-start="889" data-end="952">God prepares and strengthens us before we face कठिन moments</li>
<li data-section-id="1tmqz45" data-start="953" data-end="1004">His nearness brings peace, comfort, and clarity</li>
<li data-section-id="e107tn" data-start="1005" data-end="1066">Scripture reveals God&rsquo;s compassionate and personal nature</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://forms.gle/gXp5pnA83t6du5An7">Take Our Survey!</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
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<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
His Nearness Is What I Needed
By Lauren Fletcher
Bible Reading:
&ldquo;For what great nation has a god as near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we call on him?&rdquo; - Deuteronomy 4:7
I have recently been reading a book by Wendy Blight called Rest for Your Soul. In it, she talks about prayer. She describes a time when she was calling out to God amidst a struggle and didn&rsquo;t hear from Him:
&ldquo;I had a choice to make. I could believe what I was studying, reading, and learning, or I could allow anger, fear, and doubt to continue ruling my soul. What I came to realize during that time (though it was a decade-long journey) was that God was with me. And over those years, though my circumstances didn&rsquo;t always change, my courage to stand firm in them rose because I knew I was not alone&rdquo; (Rest for Your Soul).
A few pages later, Wendy writes, &ldquo;Jesus invites us, &ldquo;Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest&rdquo; (Matthew 11:28). He may not fix everything at that moment. In fact, He probably won&rsquo;t. But it&rsquo;s an invitation to come and sit with the only One who can give you rest in the middle of the mess&rdquo; (Rest for Your Soul).
What I started to wonder about prayer is if maybe it isn&rsquo;t about getting an answer from God for a particular need, but about recognizing His Presence and experiencing Him, that prayer is about communication with God.
I went through some mental health testing earlier this year. I had been awaiting the results, eager to get the treatment I needed. Yesterday morning, I woke up and read my Bible, as usual. What was different was how present God was with me. Every scripture I read, I felt like God was speaking directly to me, to my heart, like it was just for me. I could hear Him, feel His presence. I was touched and grateful.
Later that day, I got part of the news I had been awaiting for weeks. I received my diagnosis. As I processed this, I realized that a reason God had been close that morning is that He knew what I would hear that day&mdash;He knew I would hear the results of my testing. He wanted me to know He was there.
More than hearing a specific word, what I needed, what I cherished most, was God&rsquo;s presence, to know He was with me. His nearness is what I needed.
One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 34. In it, David says, &ldquo;The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed&rdquo; (Psalm 34:18). God knows when we need Him, and He shows up.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
The Bible also shows that when we pray to the Lord, He draws near. In Deuteronomy, it says, &ldquo;For what great nation has a god as near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we call on him?&rdquo; (Deuteronomy 4:7). The Psalmist also writes, &ldquo;I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!&rdquo; (Psalm 116:1-2). He listens to our prayers and draws near to us as we pray. He is a personal God.
Just like I could feel His nearness as I read the scripture yesterday morning, I could also sense His heart&mdash;we can learn more about who He is in that place of nearness. Psalms 103 says, &ldquo;The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love&rdquo; (Psalm 103:8). This description of God is found throughout the Bible. David also describes how God is as a Father: &ldquo;The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust&rdquo; (Psalm 103:13-14). Have you ever had a time when you felt God&rsquo;s presence so close to you? Did you learn anything in that place of nearness about Him?
Something I think about is when I got the initial call to do testing. God was in this. It felt like the answer to a prayer I hadn&rsquo;t prayed&mdash;I had such peace about it. I also think about how the plans fell so perfectly into place for me to go out of town and do the testing. God had been in the whole process, and He continued to be close.
Has there been a time in your life when you have walked through a difficult season but sensed the Lord&rsquo;s Presence with you? What did that feel like? Was He steadying, comforting, or encouraging? In Psalms 34, David writes, &ldquo;The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time&rdquo; (Psalm 34:19). We are righteous through Christ. He will come to help us every time
Further Reading:
Psalm 145:18
James 4:8
Jeremiah 29:13
Isaiah 7:14
Hebrews 13:5
Deuteronomy 31:8

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.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

His Nearness Is What I Needed

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/a3733d90-a55c-41f5-b11f-b43900e5a713/transcript