Many people struggle a great deal through the Christmas season. It is difficult because of the great loneliness they feel. The intensity of that loneliness increases at this time of year because of the tendency to look back at life and remember the way it was or what could have been. A horizontal perspective of life will never cure the human need for companionship. There are many who have friends, family, and even great churches to attend but they feel desperately alone.
David reminds us that “the Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145.18). The Christian understands that God is for him. He desires to benefit His children. Prayers do not go unanswered because God is an ever-present Father. Identification with the true God of Scripture brings companionship that does not disappoint.
The struggle comes when we lack sincerity in our call. Insincere prayer is falsehood, pride, and hypocrisy. God cannot be close to the proud hypocrite. Many Christians have distanced God because of a formal, lackluster approach to Christianity. They’ve reaped a lonely, bitter road as result.
However, God will not forsake sincerity. He will not forsake the honest, straightforward seeker. “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4.13).
