Introduction
These daily devotions were birthed out of my journey of learning how to live with a child who has brain cancer and an ensuing physical disability. During the first five years of this journey my Heavenly Father gently guided me through each day, teaching me how to draw on His strength when I was weak. He encouraged me to declare His Word when I didn’t feel it was true for our lives, and He continually showed me how much He loved me even when it looked as if He had abandoned us. Throughout these years, in the quiet times of crying out to God, I listened to Him and let His love flow into my heart, essentially drawing closer to Him. I have learned without a doubt, that God is loving, faithful and trustworthy.
These daily devotions were birthed out of my journey of learning how to live with a child who has brain cancer and an ensuing physical disability. During the first five years of this journey my Heavenly Father gently guided me through each day, teaching me how to draw on His strength when I was weak. He encouraged me to declare His Word when I didn’t feel it was true for our lives, and He continually showed me how much He loved me even when it looked as if He had abandoned us. Throughout these years, in the quiet times of crying out to God, I listened to Him and let His love flow into my heart, essentially drawing closer to Him. I have learned without a doubt, that God is loving, faithful and trustworthy.
In March 2020 when COVID-19 (the Corona virus) started to make its presence felt in Australia and the opportunities to meet face-to-face were reducing day by day I felt the nudge from the Holy Spirit to create an online space where these devotions could be shared, first with a Facebook page ‘Drawing Closer to God’ and then on this website. Then another nudge came and the YouTube Channel, Drawing Closer to God was born.
Each devotion starts with a brief word of encouragement, followed by some Scripture. As you read the Scripture, be expectant that God will speak to you. I have also included a contemporary and a traditional worship song with each devotion, as God has ministered powerfully to me during times of worship. During the devotion I encourage you to journal, take time to hear what God wants to say to you today.
Daily Devotions
Day 1 - Our God
Day 2 - Jesus
Day 3 - The Holy Spirit
Day 4 - I am a child of God
Day 5 - God's Grace
Day 6 - God's Peace
Day 7 - God's Mercy
Day 8 - No Fear
Day 9 - Our refuge
Day 10 - Eyes on Jesus
Day 11 - Be Thankful
Day 12 -Our Heavenly Father
Day 13 - Have faith in His Name
Day 14 - God is bigger
Day 15 - Put your confidence in God
Day 16 - He is able
Day 17 - Life to the full
Day 18 - God is our source
Day 19 - Stand Firm
Day 20 - By my God I can
Day 21 - God's Armour
Day 22 - God is listening
Day 23 - Jesus is with us
Day 24 - God's watching over us
Day 25 - God's favour is on us
Day 26 - We are God's children
Day 27 - The River
Day 28 - The Son of God
Day 29 - Christ's sufficiency
Day 30 - It is finished
What have I learnt from these devotions?
It is my prayer that these thirty days of intentionally spending time with God will help you to draw closer to Him, enabling you to look beyond your circumstances and know that you are loved and that He has a plan and it is good. Each day as you choose to sit with Him, I encourage you to purposefully declare God’s Word, and worship your heart out. Finally, when the tears come, let them flow and let His love overwhelm you.
Scriptures for battle
For those of you who find yourselves in the midst of a battle I have listed some of the scriptures we have continually stood on during our challenging times. These are the initial scriptures and encouragement I sent to my friend in her time of great need. You probably know these scriptures, but let’s declare them out into the atmosphere once again.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 NKJV
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down, he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit, he’ll always be there to help you come through it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Message
Always remember, He is on our side, even when we can’t seem to see it.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
We know how to turn to God in prayer; we know how to petition Him. We know the peace that comes when we do that. I am praying you will be able to do that and stay in that place of peace despite what is happening around you.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8 NLT
No other name - only Jesus
He said, “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’ 2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you. 2 Chronicles 20:17 NIV
This battle is God’s and Jesus has already won. Stand firm.
I look up to the mountains - does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121 NLT
Keep looking up to Him. He does not sleep. He watches over you, and your family.