The Nearness of God

“But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.” Psalm 73:28

I can relate with the Psalmist in Psalm 73. Oh how easy it is to look at people and desire the things of this world, things that would pull me away from the “simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3) “But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalm 73:2-3)

To take our eyes off of Christ, all we have to do is look away. And as we look away from Christ, all the fears and worries of man creep in seeking to devour us whole. It is only when we are “fixing our eyes upon the Author and Perfector of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) that we can live out Matthew 6:25-34 and not worry about tomorrow.

 “When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end.” Psalm 73:16-17

It is when we come into the sanctuary of God, the very meeting place where we commune with God in a deep, true and powerful way, that our troublesome sight and thinking are shown for what they are. When we come into the presence of the Lord we see just how near He really is. This meeting with Him is not mere emotions, lights, music, programs and etc, but rather in the one on one experiential communion with the Almighty, the very One who ransomed our soul through the grace and sufferings of Christ. It is then, when we surrender and walk with Him, authentically, that we will see the true end of this world and have our eyes more fully opened to our true condition and great need for our Savior.

“But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.” In Christ, we have our refuge, our strength, our rest, for His burden is truly light; but we must enter into His sanctuary, turn our eyes off of the world and affix them upon Jesus with a holy resolve and singleness of eye.

May the Lord draw you near to Himself and may you take refuge in Him.

“Entertainment is the devil’s substitute for joy.” – Leonard Ravenhill

“All the devil wants to do is get the fight out of you, so you won’t labor in prayer any more, you weep before God any more, you can sit and watch television and your family go to hell.” – David Wilkerson