November 17: God Is Right There
Scripture
“Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you.
If your heart is broken, you will find God right there; if you are kicked in the gut, he will help you catch your breath.
Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time.”
—Psalm 34:17–19 (The Message)
This is a message you might need to hear today. God is with you. You might feel as though your prayers are not getting past the ceiling or that they are falling on deaf ears. That’s a lie. Scripture tells us clearly that God hears the cries of His people and stands ready to rescue. The challenge is that His timing is not always the same as ours. Yet His heart is always toward His children, and He never fails to see what you are walking through. God has not forgotten you, not for one moment.
David says that if your heart is broken, you will find God right there. What a promise. When your heart aches, God’s heart moves toward you with compassion. When life knocks the wind out of you and you feel like you cannot catch your breath, He is the One who helps you breathe again. These verses paint a picture of a God who meets us in our weakness. Not after we have pulled ourselves together, but right in the middle of the pain.
And even when the trouble we face is our own doing, God does not walk away. He doesn’t throw His hands up in frustration or disgust. The psalm says that disciples often get into trouble, yet God is there every time. That is grace. We may wander, stumble, or make a mess of things, but His presence does not disappear. He waits patiently for us to turn back, ready to heal, restore, and help us stand again.
So whenever you find yourself struggling, do not run from Him. Lean in. Cry out. Trust that He is your ever present help in your time of need. Nothing you face is too small for His care or too broken for His healing touch. Your Father sees you, knows you, and loves you. He is right there, ready to meet you in your deepest need.
Reflection
1. What emotions or struggles do you need to bring honestly before God today?
2. How does knowing that God is near to the brokenhearted change the way you see your circumstances?
3. In what specific area do you need to trust Him as your ever present help?
Prayer
Thank God for hearing your cries and meeting you in your pain. Ask Him to help you lean into His presence instead of pulling away. Pray for renewed trust in His timing, compassion, and nearness in your moment of need.
