So, the God of Israel caused King Pul of Assyria (also known as Tiglath-pileser) to invade the land and take away the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh as captives. The Assyrians exiled them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the Gozan River, where they remain to this day.

1 Chronicles 5:26

“Despite the good start for the eastern tribe of Manasseh, this is how they ended up. Their distance from the people of Israel in general and the spiritual life of the nation, in particular, seemed to weaken their devotion to God and strengthen their attraction to the gods of the peoples of the land.” - David Guzik

If we have found favor with you, please let us have this land as our property instead of giving us land across the Jordan River.
Numbers 32:5

It matters:

• Where we settle.
• How grounded we are in our faith.

However, even when we:

• Settle near nonbelievers; we can be influenced wrongly.
• Think we are strong; we can fall prey to the enemy.
• Think we are strong; we sin, and fall in the loving discipline of God.

Distance 

• From God’s people can weaken our devotion to Him… even when we think it isn’t important. 
• To God’s people can strengthen our devotion… even when we think it isn’t important.

However:

• Fellowship with God’s people isn't a substitute for personal intimacy with God.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

The plunder taken from the Hagrites included 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep and goats, 2,000 donkeys, and 100,000 captives.
1 Chronicles 5:21

What a plunder!! How did they transport all this back home?

Stay close to God by staying close to His people. Stay close to God through personal commitment to Him through worship, prayer, obedience, and the study of His Word.