Nearness Of God
The Nearness of God – Deuteronomy 4:5-8
"Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?"
We see in this passage that God has been preparing His people to live among the nations they will encounter when they cross into the land of Canaan. By observing God’s laws, they will not just benefit themselves but show the surrounding nations the righteousness of the one true God. A sharp contrast to the idols in the land.
As I was reading this passage, I thought of a friend of mine who is currently serving time in federal prison. I won’t go deep into his story, other than to say I, and many others, believe he was unjustly sentenced. He is a faithful follower of Christ, and even now he’s ministering to those who are incarcerated with him in bible studies and chapel services. So how does this tie into our Deuteronomy scripture? Read again verse 7.
"For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?"
These encouraging words were given to the children of Israel before going into the Promised Land to remind them of God’s nearness. A nearness that is more than just physical proximity, but a deep and intimate relationship we have when we worship and pray to Him. Though the gods of the surrounding nations were believed to be close to their people, influencing the seasons, weather and other aspects of nature, God reminds them they were just man-made idols unalive and silent. Our God, however, is distinct—He is alive and close to us no matter where we are. Even as He governs all things in the physical realm, He is intimately involved with His people.
The Lord our God is also Near to Us.
My friend and each of us can enjoy this same nearness to God when we worship and pray. Scripture tells us that the Lord is close to those who are brokenhearted and contrite in spirit. "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
When we Honor His Law, He is Near.
"Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth." (Psalm 119:151)
He is Near to Those who Seek Him Sincerely.
"The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth." (Psalm 145:18)
Jesus spoke of His nearness teaching us that the Father is near to those who obey Him (Matthew 5:44), to those who give in secret (Matthew 6:6), and to those who pray with sincerity (Matthew 6:9). To the poor in spirit and the righteous who seek their help outside of themselves, and with the coming of Christ, God has come near in a new and profound way. Jesus declared: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
In Christ, we have direct access to the Father.
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) James provides a comforting promise: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." (James 4:8) To come near to God requires a heart that seeks purity, and a life surrendered to Him. Christ’s message was clear: "The kingdom of God is near!" And His death and resurrection confirmed this truth. For those who reject Him, God remains far off. But for those who turn to Him, they know the joy of His presence and the comfort of His peace. This nearness is not only for today but also points to the future—the great day when God will dwell fully with His people.
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3)
He is Immanuel—God with us. He is the helper of the helpless, a shelter for the abandoned, and a strong deliverer. Praise Him because He is always near. Take refuge in Him and be blessed!
Credit: Ron Kelley
"Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?"
We see in this passage that God has been preparing His people to live among the nations they will encounter when they cross into the land of Canaan. By observing God’s laws, they will not just benefit themselves but show the surrounding nations the righteousness of the one true God. A sharp contrast to the idols in the land.
As I was reading this passage, I thought of a friend of mine who is currently serving time in federal prison. I won’t go deep into his story, other than to say I, and many others, believe he was unjustly sentenced. He is a faithful follower of Christ, and even now he’s ministering to those who are incarcerated with him in bible studies and chapel services. So how does this tie into our Deuteronomy scripture? Read again verse 7.
"For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?"
These encouraging words were given to the children of Israel before going into the Promised Land to remind them of God’s nearness. A nearness that is more than just physical proximity, but a deep and intimate relationship we have when we worship and pray to Him. Though the gods of the surrounding nations were believed to be close to their people, influencing the seasons, weather and other aspects of nature, God reminds them they were just man-made idols unalive and silent. Our God, however, is distinct—He is alive and close to us no matter where we are. Even as He governs all things in the physical realm, He is intimately involved with His people.
The Lord our God is also Near to Us.
My friend and each of us can enjoy this same nearness to God when we worship and pray. Scripture tells us that the Lord is close to those who are brokenhearted and contrite in spirit. "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
When we Honor His Law, He is Near.
"Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth." (Psalm 119:151)
He is Near to Those who Seek Him Sincerely.
"The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth." (Psalm 145:18)
Jesus spoke of His nearness teaching us that the Father is near to those who obey Him (Matthew 5:44), to those who give in secret (Matthew 6:6), and to those who pray with sincerity (Matthew 6:9). To the poor in spirit and the righteous who seek their help outside of themselves, and with the coming of Christ, God has come near in a new and profound way. Jesus declared: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
In Christ, we have direct access to the Father.
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) James provides a comforting promise: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." (James 4:8) To come near to God requires a heart that seeks purity, and a life surrendered to Him. Christ’s message was clear: "The kingdom of God is near!" And His death and resurrection confirmed this truth. For those who reject Him, God remains far off. But for those who turn to Him, they know the joy of His presence and the comfort of His peace. This nearness is not only for today but also points to the future—the great day when God will dwell fully with His people.
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3)
He is Immanuel—God with us. He is the helper of the helpless, a shelter for the abandoned, and a strong deliverer. Praise Him because He is always near. Take refuge in Him and be blessed!
Credit: Ron Kelley
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