Even There..

Today, we’re talking about “Even There.”

Maybe you’re in a place you never thought you’d be—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Maybe it feels like God is far. But Psalm 139 reminds us that wherever we go—even the farthest, most unfamiliar, or uncomfortable places—even there, God is already waiting.

Psalm 139:9–10 (NLT) — “If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.”

We’re talking about the places we never planned to be—and though we didn’t plan them, God is even there in them.

There are unexpected turns—the “How did I get here?” moments. Maybe it’s a surprise diagnosis, a job loss, or a life change you didn’t see coming. Guess what? God is in all of these, even when they feel a little unsettling.

Sometimes those moments come from a turn we didn’t mean to take—or life pushes us off the road altogether. Have you ever ended up somewhere completely unexpected? That surprise move? That unplanned job? That awkward season of waiting?

It’s comforting to know that God doesn’t need a GPS update. He’s already there.

One time, I got stuck in an airport for like seven hours. It was a layover on my way back home, but I guess I looked at the time wrong, so it was very unexpected for me to be stuck at that airport that long. But it ended up being a blessing. I was so tired from the jet lag that I needed that time to rest. I’m not one to just sleep anywhere, but I struggled to keep my eyes open. The Lord allowed me to have peace in that place, and I was able to rest. So even there… under fluorescent lights and in uncomfortable chairs… God was with me.

Maybe today you’re standing in a spot you didn’t choose. Look around—it might not feel holy, but God is there. He doesn’t need a worship center to move. Sometimes He shows up in waiting rooms, backroads, parking lots, play areas, and car rides.

Where we are, God is—and that is the comforting part of having a Father who is omnipresent. We are never alone, even when we feel like we are.

We’ve talked about the unexpected—but what about the just plain hard? Those valleys where hope feels thin and strength is stretched. The good news is, God doesn’t skip those parts. He doesn’t avoid the pain. He walks right into it with us.

Grief. Loneliness. Disappointment. These aren’t the places we post about, but they’re the places we live sometimes. And Psalm 139 doesn’t say, “Even there God will check in when He gets a chance.” No—it says He’s guiding and supporting right there, right then.

Sometimes all you can pray is, “Help.” Or, “Why?” That’s okay. So many times, all I’ve had the strength to pray is, “God, please help me,” or “Why is this so hard?”

Being able to come so openly to God is comforting, because often, we’re not that open with others—but with God, we can come completely to Him. That’s because we know God can handle our confusion and our silence. He’s not uncomfortable with pain—He’s acquainted with it. And He’s not leaving, not even when we shut down.

Hope doesn’t always come with fireworks—it often tiptoes in quietly. A sunrise. A kind word. A Scripture that hits just right. Sometimes it catches us off guard, but God knows what we need and when we need it. He knew the exact moment we would catch it.

So, if you're in a hard place, be gentle with yourself and remember—you’re not stuck alone. Even there, God’s strength is holding you. So be ready to hear from Him, because He will let you know that He is there.

We’ve talked about unexpected and hard places, but let’s not forget the most overlooked: the everyday. The grocery store line. The school pickup. The long drive home. Even in the routine, God is deeply present.

You don’t need a mountaintop moment for God to speak. He shows up in laundry loads and work meetings. He’s in the coffee brewing and even while you’re getting gas. Our job isn’t to search far and wide—it’s to stay open where we are. It’s to always be open and available to hear from the Lord.

Maybe you’re standing on the edge of something new. The unknown can feel like a cliff. But God is already in your tomorrow. You don’t have to know the full path—you just have to trust that even there, He will guide.

Psalm 139:9–10 (NLT) — “If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.”

No matter where you are going or where you end up—God is there.

You are never alone. Not in the unfamiliar, not in the hard, not in the boring. God’s presence isn’t tied to a location or a situation—it’s tied to His promise. Wherever you are today, hear this: Even there, He’s holding you.

Lord, thank You that there is no place I can go that You aren’t already present. Whether I’m thriving or struggling, laughing or crying, help me sense You near. Remind me that You’ve never lost track of me. Even there, You are with me. Amen.

I hope you walk away with this truth echoing in your heart: there is no place too far, too strange, or too ordinary for God to meet you there. He’s faithful, He’s close, and He’s not going anywhere. So, whatever today holds—whether you're running ahead, standing still, or crawling through—just remember: Even there, God’s hand will guide you, and His strength will support you.