Episode Details

In this comforting and deeply personal devotional, Alexis A. Goring draws inspiration from a NOOMA teaching by Rob Bell to remind us that even when we feel forgotten or afraid, God is holding us close. Using Psalm 34:18 and a father’s love as the backdrop, she paints a powerful picture of how God shelters us—even when the thunder is loud and the way home feels far.

What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):

• Why your brokenness is not a barrier, but a bridge to God’s heart

• How Scripture shows God’s nearness in life’s hardest moments

• A moving analogy of God’s love through the eyes of a father carrying his son through a storm

• The reassurance that you’re not just seen by God—you’re held

Join the Conversation:
Have you ever sensed God holding you through a storm? What reminders help you trust Him as your guide? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #HeldByGod and share your story—or a worship song that brought you peace.

 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer

Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews

Full Transcript Below:

When God Holds You Close

By: Alexis A. Goring

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”—Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

Have you ever felt like you were going through hard times alone? Do you ever feel like God is far away and doesn’t care about what you’re facing? Did you ever think that God abandoned you, leaving you to face the storms of life by yourself without adequate shelter and proper care? 

If so, then this devotional inspired by a teaching by Rob Bell, is for you. Bell, an American author, once shared a real-life story illustration for NOOMA Small Group Bible Study titled, “Rain”. The story features a father holding his young son close to shelter him as they walk through a violent rainstorm in the woods. 

Bell sets the scene: He was with his family as they were spending time in a cabin in the woods on the edge of a remote lake that was deep in the middle of nowhere. One morning, he and his son Trace set out to take a walk around the lake at a point of the day where there were clear blue skies, sunshine and birds chirping. At the time, Trace was a little over one year old and he seemed happy and content. Bell was carrying his son in one of those hiking backpacks strapped to Bell’s back.

They set out through the woods to walk around the lake. As they reached the other side of the lake, they were the farthest possible point from the cabin. As they rounded the bend to head back to the cabin, Bell looked up and noticed clouds. Then, it started to rain. At first, only a few drops of rain fell. But soon after, the raindrops grew big and began to fall fast, leading to a downpour. Bell said it was