The Nearness of God
3/9/2024
"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." - Psalm 145:18 (ESV)
In this verse, we find an absolute truth about the nature of God and the intimacy of our relationship with Him. Let's take a moment to reflect on what this verse teaches us about the nearness of God and how we can experience it in our lives.
The Nearness of God: The psalmist begins by declaring that the Lord is near. This simple statement carries profound implications for our faith. It reminds us that we serve a God who is not distant or aloof but is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives. God is not a far-off deity who is indifferent to our struggles and joys; rather, He is a God who draws near to us with love, compassion, and grace.
God is not distant or unapproachable. He is a loving Father who desires a personal relationship with each and every one of us. He longs to hear from us, to be involved in every aspect of our lives. And when we call on Him in truth, with hearts that are open and honest, He responds with grace and mercy.
All Who Call on Him: The promise of nearness is not reserved for a select few but is extended to all who call on the name of the Lord. Regardless of our background, circumstances, or past mistakes, God invites us into a relationship with Him. He eagerly waits for us to turn to Him in prayer, seeking His presence and guidance in our lives.
In Truth: The psalmist adds a crucial qualifier to this promise. God is near to those who call on Him in truth. This means that our relationship with God must be characterized by sincerity, honesty, and authenticity. We cannot approach God with pretense or falsehood but must come before Him with open hearts and minds, ready to receive His truth and respond obediently to His will.
When we call on the Lord in truth, we are acknowledging His sovereignty, His power, and His goodness. We are coming before Him with humility and sincerity, laying our hearts bare before Him. And in return, He draws near to us, ready to listen, comfort, and guide us.
Experiencing God's Nearness: So, how do we experience the nearness of God in our lives? It begins with a humble recognition of our need for Him and a sincere desire to draw closer to Him through prayer, worship, and study of His Word. As we cultivate a deeper relationship with God, we will find that He draws near to us, comforting us in times of trouble, guiding us in times of uncertainty, and rejoicing with us in times of blessing.
As we meditate on Psalm 145:18, may we be encouraged by the assurance of God's nearness and motivated to pursue a deeper relationship with Him in all that we do.
So let us be encouraged to call on the Lord in every situation, knowing that He is near and ready to help. Let us seek Him with all our hearts and trust in His faithfulness. May we find comfort and peace in the knowledge that the Lord is always close at hand, waiting for us to turn to Him in truth.
Today, I pray that our Heavenly Father accepts our thanks for the promise of His nearness. I pray that He helps us as we call on Him in truth, seeking His presence in every aspect of our lives. I pray that we may experience the joy and peace that comes from walking closely with Him each day. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." - Psalm 145:18 (ESV)
In this verse, we find an absolute truth about the nature of God and the intimacy of our relationship with Him. Let's take a moment to reflect on what this verse teaches us about the nearness of God and how we can experience it in our lives.
The Nearness of God: The psalmist begins by declaring that the Lord is near. This simple statement carries profound implications for our faith. It reminds us that we serve a God who is not distant or aloof but is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives. God is not a far-off deity who is indifferent to our struggles and joys; rather, He is a God who draws near to us with love, compassion, and grace.
God is not distant or unapproachable. He is a loving Father who desires a personal relationship with each and every one of us. He longs to hear from us, to be involved in every aspect of our lives. And when we call on Him in truth, with hearts that are open and honest, He responds with grace and mercy.
All Who Call on Him: The promise of nearness is not reserved for a select few but is extended to all who call on the name of the Lord. Regardless of our background, circumstances, or past mistakes, God invites us into a relationship with Him. He eagerly waits for us to turn to Him in prayer, seeking His presence and guidance in our lives.
In Truth: The psalmist adds a crucial qualifier to this promise. God is near to those who call on Him in truth. This means that our relationship with God must be characterized by sincerity, honesty, and authenticity. We cannot approach God with pretense or falsehood but must come before Him with open hearts and minds, ready to receive His truth and respond obediently to His will.
When we call on the Lord in truth, we are acknowledging His sovereignty, His power, and His goodness. We are coming before Him with humility and sincerity, laying our hearts bare before Him. And in return, He draws near to us, ready to listen, comfort, and guide us.
Experiencing God's Nearness: So, how do we experience the nearness of God in our lives? It begins with a humble recognition of our need for Him and a sincere desire to draw closer to Him through prayer, worship, and study of His Word. As we cultivate a deeper relationship with God, we will find that He draws near to us, comforting us in times of trouble, guiding us in times of uncertainty, and rejoicing with us in times of blessing.
As we meditate on Psalm 145:18, may we be encouraged by the assurance of God's nearness and motivated to pursue a deeper relationship with Him in all that we do.
So let us be encouraged to call on the Lord in every situation, knowing that He is near and ready to help. Let us seek Him with all our hearts and trust in His faithfulness. May we find comfort and peace in the knowledge that the Lord is always close at hand, waiting for us to turn to Him in truth.
Today, I pray that our Heavenly Father accepts our thanks for the promise of His nearness. I pray that He helps us as we call on Him in truth, seeking His presence in every aspect of our lives. I pray that we may experience the joy and peace that comes from walking closely with Him each day. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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