Brought Near to God By Christ
Be encouraged by today’s Scripture reflection and prayer.
Today's Scripture
Ephesians 2:12–13 (KJV)
“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
Reflection
Can you think of a time when you felt without hope? Maybe a circumstance seemed like it would never end. On the other hand, maybe there was something you were hoping for, something you needed, yet it felt like the answer would never come.
Hope has an amazing way of anticipating something good. It lifts our eyes forward and helps us endure the moment we are in. But there is another kind of hope that many people live without ever realizing it exists.
A hope that is deeper than circumstances.
A hope that is found in fellowship with God.
Paul reminds the believers in Ephesians of what life once looked like before Christ. He describes a life that was without Christ, separated, strangers to the promises of God, and without hope.
Without hope and without God in the world.
It is a sobering description. People may have hopes for success, relationships, or better days ahead, yet still never realize the deeper hope that comes from knowing God.
I love being around people, but I have to admit that I sometimes feel awkward in new places or around unfamiliar faces. There can be a sense of standing there unsure of where you belong, feeling slightly adrift until you begin to settle in.
In a much deeper way, this is how life is without Christ.
There is movement and activity. There may even be moments of happiness. Yet there remains a quiet distance from the One who created us. Something feels unsettled because the fellowship we were made for is missing.
But Paul does not leave the story there.
He says, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
What a beautiful truth. Through Jesus, those who were once far away have been brought near. The distance has been removed. The hope that once seemed unknown is now a living reality.
This hope is not temporary. It is rooted in a restored relationship with God Himself.
Today's Prayer
Lord, thank You for bringing me near through the blood of Christ. Thank You that the life once described as without hope is no longer my story. Help me to remember the fellowship I now have with You and to live with gratitude for the hope that comes from knowing You. In Jesus Name, Amen
Before You Go
Many people are searching for hope without realizing where true hope is found.
Scripture reminds us in Epistle to the Romans 15:13, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
If you know Christ, you are no longer far away. You have been brought near into fellowship with the God of hope.
And for those around you who may still feel distant or adrift, your life can point them toward the hope that is found in Him.
If you know Christ, you have been given a hope that the world cannot offer and cannot take away. Yet even as believers, it is good for us to be reminded of this hope. Life has a way of pressing in, and circumstances can cloud our perspective. But the truth remains the same. In Christ we are no longer without hope. We have been brought near, and that hope rests securely in Him.
Brought Near Through Christ
Ephesians 2:12–13 reminds us that there was a time when we were without Christ, separated and without hope. Yet through the sacrifice of Jesus, those who were once far away have been brought near by His blood. The gospel is a powerful reminder that God does not leave us distant from Him. Through Christ we are welcomed into His grace and invited to walk closely with Him each day.
Patient Hearts
This devotional encourages believers to trust God’s timing and develop patience as He continues His work within us.
Drawing Closer to God in Every Season
A reminder that no matter what season of life we are in, we can seek the Lord and grow in our relationship with Him.
