Is God Near to You?

'How close are you to God right now?' seems to be a fairly common question in Christian circles. At a glance the question may appear somewhat ludicrous; isn't God everywhere? How can one person be closer to God than another? At the heart of this question lies a qualitative sense of the word "close" not a spacial sense.

In the Old Testament the nearness of God had a very tangible sense. It represented the manifest presence of the LORD. It was seen in the pillar of fire by night and the pillar of cloud by day as the nation of Israel wandered through the wilderness. It was seen as the glory of Lord as a cloud which rested over and in the tabernacle and the temple. Israel could visibly see when the LORD was near.

When thinking of the nearness of God Biblically, we must understand that there are two sides of this concept.  The first is the nearness of God that is obtained through salvation. "But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13). Redemption and reconciliation through Jesus Christ are the basis for the nearness of God. The holiness of God cannot be near evil but the atonement makes a way for man to be brought back into the presence of his Creator.

Secondly, the concept of the nearness of God has definite applications for the believer, the follower of God in Jesus Christ. James, writing to believing Jews, commands that they should "draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8). David prays, "but as for me, the nearness of God is my good" (Psalm 73:28). The author of Hebrews writes, "therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

Yes, at the moment of salvation we have been reconciled in our relationship with God, but there remains a responsibility on the part of the believer to be consistently drawing himself near/nearer to the presence of God. "The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth" (Psalm 145:18). "Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near" (Isaiah 55:6). What does this responsibility entail?

James goes on in chapter four after commanding us to "draw near to God," he writes "cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:8). Purification precedes nearness. When we seek the nearness of God, we must come with a "broken and contrite heart," this He "will not despise" (Psalm 51:17).

Practically, seeking the nearness of God means obeying his commands, devoting times of worship and praise, abiding in Him and His word, calling on Him in prayer, seeking Him in a community setting, serving others, and simply inviting Him to come near. "Be near, O God" should be our daily prayer.

David speaks affirmatively that "the nearness of God is my good." It is a comfort for the hurting, "the LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18), it is strength for the weak (Psalm 73:26), and it provides us with mercy and grace in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Seeking the nearness of God is of uttermost importance if we are to walk in such a way that pleases Him.

The next time someone asks you 'how close are you to God right now?' May you be able to answer, 'HE IS NEAR!' Today, seek the nearness of God.

"Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." ~Hebrews 10:19-22

"Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near." ~Isaiah 55:6