GOD IS ALREADY THERE
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you… ”
Jeremiah 1:5a (NKJV)
The first time I surprised my mom was when she found out she was pregnant with me. She was just 16—young, unmarried and completely unprepared. In a moment of panic, she and my dad took my grandmother’s car and drove across the country from South Carolina to California without leaving a note.
When my grandfather realized what had happened, he didn’t panic. Instead, he made two calm phone calls—one to the airline and one to his brother-in-law in California. The next day, he and my uncle flew to Los Angeles and arrived at my great uncle’s house just an hour before my parents pulled up.
My parents were bracing for anger and disappointment. But instead, my grandfather greeted them with a hug and reassuring words. He let them know that while there would be consequences—namely, me—the family would not abandon them or stop loving them because of a mistake. Looking back, his response reminds me of how God treats us. When we mess up, our instinct is often to run and hide, thinking we can escape shame or punishment. The enemy loves to feed us that lie. But the truth is, God is already there.
Jeremiah 1:5 reminds us that God’s knowledge of us began long before our first breath. He knew our story—our struggles, our choices, our detours—and still chose to love us. That verse isn’t just poetic; it’s deeply personal. It means that even in our most broken moments, we’re not a surprise to God. He saw it all coming and still made a way for grace.
That’s the beauty of the Gospel: when we turn back to Him, we’re met with open arms, not condemnation. Just like my grandfather did for my parents, God welcomes us home with love, not judgment.
APPLICATION: Reflect on a time that you ran from God. Where did you go? What did you discover when you came back?
PRAYER: Father, thank You that we can never hide from You. Help me recognize that guilt and shame are forgiven because of the work of Jesus, and now they are lies of the enemy meant to keep me from Your loving arms. Bring back to mind throughout the day that Your grace is greater than my failures. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?