Daily Devotional

"I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you."

Psalm 119:11

We are prone to error from birth. Nobody teaches a child to blackmail, tantrum, disobey, or be selfish with their toys, for example. Yet they act this way from the first years of their life. Sin is this invisible evil, glued to our genes, which leads us to sin even when we don't want to.

When Jesus entered the story of our lives, he saved us from the terrible curse of sin. We were slaves to a merciless master, who conditioned us to think, feel, and act according to the greed and wickedness of our hearts. However, through Jesus Christ, the Word that became flesh (John 1:14), we can keep the Truth that sets us free in our hearts, so that we don't sin against God.

Keep the Word and Practice it!

• Keeping the Word in your heart means being in constant contact with it. Read, study, seek to know and truly love the Holy Bible.
• To keep the teachings of Scripture you can memorize, record, or study Bible verses and stories.
• Memorize at least one verse a week. At the end of a year, you will see how much of the Word you have internalized.
• Sing the Word. Try to listen to and learn songs that speak of the biblical message.
• Try to listen to the Word preached, re-read it, meditate on it, and live out what you have learned.

Pray:

Lord, thank You for Your Word which teaches me, purifies me, and frees me from all sin. Help me to keep all that I have learned so as not to grieve You by doing what displeases You. Teach me to be more like your Son Jesus Christ in love and attitude. May I always be willing to love, read, study, and practice Your Word, every day of my life. In Jesus' name! Amen.

“Am I only a God nearby,”
declares the Lord,
“and not a God far away?
Jeremiah 23:23

The popular saying, 'out of sight, out of mind', may explain why many people are wary of long-distance relationships. Unfortunately, many people behave in one way when they are close and another way when they are far away. The truth is that proximity to others is a determining factor in many people's behaviors and feelings.

For example, some children act badly when they are away from their parents (guardians), employees "take advantage" when their bosses are away, or spouses are unfaithful if their partner is not around. This was also the case with the Israelites in the desert when they complained to Aaron that they couldn't see God, nor Moses who was on the mountain receiving the Law from the Lord. They sinned, were unfaithful to the Lord, and built a golden calf (Ex.32) because they thought God was far away...

A Christian's life shouldn't be like that. Especially their communion with the Lord. He is the God near and far. Our relationship with Christ is based on love and trust, not on sight. Although we can't see or touch him, by faith we walk in his company, keeping the Lord in our hearts. He loved us first, so we love him too...

God is never far away, He is omnipresent and omniscient, He fills both heaven and earth. His presence is everywhere. The verse here is a reminder of the all-encompassing nature of God's existence and knowledge. The passage goes on to say that not only is he 'near and far', but that no one can hide from Him, and He is intimately involved with all aspects of creation.

Out of Sight, in my Heart

• What matters more in your life: being upright and honest (near and far) or being deceitful and unfaithful?
• Pray and recognize that God is near, even if you are far from him.
• Read the Bible and seek to obey it, doing everything for God's glory.
• Keep firm in your faith and love for God, even when you feel He is far away or silent.

Pray:

Lord, forgive me! Help me to be faithful and true to my neighbor and to you. May sincerity and truth guide my conduct, even when no one is around. You are God near and far! Help me not to turn away from you, today and always. In Jesus' name, amen!