Who are you close to?

The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent. Psalm 34:18 AMP

I have been reflecting on the wonderful celebration we had on Thursday night and the people that have come alongside us, stayed close, blessed us and helped to share the burden of this journey. We have been blessed by so many people in so many ways. Key message - when the going gets tough, don't isolate yourself for too long. We need each other.

My thoughts then go to the One who has been closest of all, every moment of the day and night.  The One who hears the cry of the broken-hearted and meets us in that place. The Message Bible puts it this way,

If your heart is broken, you'll find GOD right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath. Psalm 34:19 The Message

But it is always a choice. Just as we have the choice to isolate ourselves from people, we also have the choice to either isolate ourselves from God, or draw closer to Him. He always encourages us to come closer.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:8 NLT

And look what happens when we choose to come close to God, when we choose to wait and rest in Him.

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. Isaiah 40:31 AMP

We will change. Our strength and power will be renewed. We shall rise up. We shall run. We shall not faint or become tired. I can testify to all these outcomes in my life - praise God.

Question for today, who is it that you are closest too? When the tough times come, who do you call out to? Who answers? God has given us His Holy Spirit to be with us always - to live in us - can't get much closer than that! He will always answer, we just need to make sure we are listening

However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. John 16:7 AMP

Our very own counselor, helper, advocate, intercessor, strengthener and standby, living in us. What a truly awesome God we have.