READ: PSALM 34:1-8

I wish I had known sooner that the more time I spend with God, the closer He actually feels. As an adult—and especially over the course of the past few years—I have felt closer to God than I ever did before. I feel Him here with me. I have conversations with Him all throughout my day. I know that He’s there, and I trust Him. I believe all this happened because I started spending more time praying and more time reading my Bible. As soon as I leaned into God, I felt a growing sense of closeness.

When I was younger, I believed in Jesus, but I didn’t necessarily feel Him with me in the way that I do now. I wish I had known, on days when I felt lonely or scared, that He was there with me. He was right beside me. He was always inviting me to spend time getting to know Him and just being with Him.

God is there for you too. Psalm 145:18 tells us, “The LORD is near to all who call on him.” And James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” I encourage you to spend time with God, reading your Bible and praying, so that you may know Him better and feel closer to Him. Reach out to Him, focus on Him, and let Him be there for you. • Emily Acker

• Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Because Jesus died and rose again for us, everyone who has put their trust in Him has been brought near to God (Ephesians 2:13). Yet so often, we as Christians don’t take time to enjoy that nearness. How might God be inviting you to enjoy His nearness today?

• For more about what it means to know Jesus, see our "Know Jesus" page.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. James 5:13 (NIV)