UNPACK This...March Madness and God's Matchless PowerSample

Does God Seem Distant?

When underdogs go up against teams from bigger conferences, they aim to keep the game close. They realize victory is always within reach if they keep the score tight and remain in the game.

An underdog team comprehends that anything is possible when a game is tight until the end. When hanging around long enough, they’re convinced they belong, are filled with hope, and have a vision of winning.

So what happens when coaches start to sense a gap is growing? They call a timeout to get the team back on track.

Based on this, there are many parallels worth unpacking regarding our relationship with God. We are underdogs who are outmatched, undersized, and weak, and because of that, our goal should be to remain close to our Mighty God.

Our only chance for victory is staying tight with Him. When we hang around Him, He reminds us that we belong to Him…He fills us with hope…and He provides a clear vision.

Psalm 145:18 says, “The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth.”

God is always there and doesn’t leave us, but sometimes He seems distant, and we sense a gap between us. Although He hasn’t moved, we desire to feel that closeness with Him and experience His presence again.

At the first indication of feeling separation, we must call a timeout and get back on track, because God’s not out of reach. The words of our Lord can help us get back to embracing the tight union we have available to us.

Jesus tells us “…And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Jesus also gives us the example of calling a “timeout” as it says in Luke 5:16: “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”

Today, let’s follow Jesus closely, confess any sin, and ask Him to remove anything that causes us to feel distant from our loving God.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to know You personally. I’m sorry for allowing distractions and sin to create a sense of distance between us. I pray I will draw close and recognize Your presence is all around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

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