FAITH CAPSULE: Word of God is His presence and nearer than you thought.

Romans 10

Word of God is His presence. Genesis 15: 1 said it, “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.””
The presence of God visited Samuel by His word to rebuke Saul’s disobedient saying, “Now the word of the Lord came to Samuel, saying, “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments…” (1 Samuel 15:10-11)
When God called on Jonah for assignment, it was His word that visited Jonah with direction as stated, “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” (Jonah 1:1-2)
Jonah disobeyed the presence (word) of God by walking in rebellion to God’s word. How would it have been if God walked out of heaven and approach Jonah face to face? Just like Jonah, man has been rebellious in response to the word of God. Glaringly, disobedience is the evidence of not knowing God but only know about God. Jonah’s Rebellious is disobedience making choice to walk away from the presence of God. God in His mercy gave Jonah second chance to obey as His word, “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” So, Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord…”  (Jonah 3:1-3) Jonah obediently responded to the word (presence) of God.
The word of God is His presence and is always in position for man’s direction, deliverance and preservation. Disobedient to the word of God is rebellious to the presence of God. Disobedient to the word of God is self-deception. Self-deception is undeniable route for man to self-destruction.
God is near to man but man’s choice places man far away from God. Deuteronomy 30:14 recorded, “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.” Are you one that is near to God by your mouth but far from God in your heart? Jesus said it all in Matthew 15:8, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” Man quoting the word of God but not carrying the word of God in the heart to obey God is the evidence of being far from God.
Assuredly, is it your testimony that God is near to you?
In this wicked world, make it your way of living life by meditating the word of God day and night to be near indeed to God.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to live life obediently in His word.