The Living God
But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and eternal King. Jeremiah 10:10a
Houseplants do more than just look nice or brighten a room. They benefit us in meaningful ways. Living plants help purify indoor air, increase humidity, reduce stress, and create a fresher, more peaceful environment. They can make a house feel more lively and welcoming.
My mom had a remarkable green thumb, and my brother seems to have inherited it. They could snip a piece from a flowering plant, place it in the soil, and before long, it would take root and flourish. Me? Not so much. My plants require plenty of water, fertilizer, and tender loving care. Even then, many of them struggle to survive.
The difference is that only living plants provide the benefits noted above. Dead plants or even artificial ones may still look nice, but they can't bring life to a space the way a healthy, growing plant can. We serve a living God, not one who is dead or made of wood or stone.
In the Old Testament, Israel’s God was set apart from the false gods of their surrounding nations. Unlike idols made by human hands of various materials, God is Himself the maker of heaven and earth. He alone is the source of our life. The name for God here is Elohim Chayim, translated as “the Living God.”
Throughout the Bible, people encountered the reality of the living God. He spoke to Moses from the burning bush, delivered Israel from Egypt, empowered David to face Goliath, and saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. Another great example is Daniel’s protection while in the lion’s den.
In Daniel 26, Daniel was appointed an administrator in King Darius’ court. Because Daniel had an extraordinary spirit, the King planned to set him over the whole realm. The other administrators and satraps were jealous and began looking for a charge against Daniel to remove him from office. These folks went to the king and talked him into issuing an edict that, for thirty days, anyone who petitioned any god or man except the king would be thrown into the lions’ den. These men went together and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God. So, the King gave the order, and Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, per the edict. The next morning, when the King went running to check, Daniel was alive! In Daniel 6:26, King Darius acknowledges Daniel’s God. He says, "For He is the living, enduring God, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be to the end."
God is not a distant figure from history. And He is not dead! He is very much alive and walks with us daily. He is active, present, and fully engaged in our lives and the world. Because God is living, we can have a relationship with Him. He sees our struggles, hears our prayers, and works on our behalf. He is not unaware of what we're facing. He is present in every circumstance.
Another place in Scripture that is actually the ultimate proof of a living God is the resurrection of Jesus. Death could not hold Him. Sin could not defeat Him. Jesus is alive, and because He lives, we have hope for today and eternity!
Call to Action
Take time to reflect on evidence that God is alive and active in your life.
How is serving a living God different from following a set of rules?
Digging Deeper
Read these additional verses: Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 84:2, Psalm 42:2, Jeremiah 10:10, Hosea 1:10, Matthew 16:16, John 5:21, Hebrews 9:14. Refer back to the devotion to the stories listed and take time to find and read these in Scripture.
Prayer
Living God, thank You for seeing me, hearing me, and walking with me each day. Help me trust that You are at work even when I cannot see it. Draw me closer to You and help me live in a way that reflects my relationship with the Living God.
Copyright © 2026 Kyle Cravens