Dear Lighthouse,

 

            I want to preempt this week’s e-mail with a special bulletin:  GOD IS NEAR.  Do you ever feel like God is “up there” and we are “down here”?  This way of thinking sure does leave an awfully large gap between the two, doesn’t it?  We often talk about God in statements like “the Man upstairs” or “the good Lord up above”.  But really Scripture does not teach that God is up or down or far, far away.  No, in fact, Scripture teaches us that God is with us - He is everywhere - He is near.  That is what the term Immanuel literally means, “God with us”.  Too often I think we get caught in the trap of distancing ourselves from God by thinking of Him as a far off being that is disinterested in our struggles, our worries, and our pain.  But I want to challenge you to change your thinking on this matter immediately.  It is yet another trap of the enemy to get you to think that you are alone.  Free yourself from that trap and you will become more effective for the Kingdom.

Matthew 1 & 2 clearly describes the birth of Jesus.  It details the way He was sent to us from the Father in Heaven.  But why was He sent?  One reason Jesus came to us was to dramatically demonstrate how God is intimately involved in the lives of His creation.  God had been trying for centuries to show this to the Jews.  He led them by pillars of cloud and fire.  He parted seas and rivers for them.  He spoke to their leaders in person and gave them commandments written by His own Hand.  Yet, the people of Israel failed to see the relationship as an intimate one.  Romans 10:20 teaches, “And Isaiah boldly says, ‘I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me’. [that’s us]  But concerning Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people’.”  

God’s final solution was both personal and painful.  He would send His Son to us.  Yet He knew, from His close relationship with us, that His Son would suffer and die as a result.  But because of His desire to reach us He sent Him anyway.  Acts 17:27 reads, “God did this [placed us all here] so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.”

Do you see the exertion, the struggle, the effort that God has put into reaching Man?  Do you see what He has been willing to go through and to suffer in order to get through to us that He is here and He cares?  So why do we continue to ignore Him or feel He is so distant?

Two answers come to mind.  One is ignorance.  We, as believers in our Lord, need to be vigilant in reaching others with the message of hope and God’s efforts on our behalf.  If we don’t share the gospel, who will?  And the second is sin.  I am convinced that the only thing that can separate us from a relationship with God is sin.  If sin is present and not washed away by the blood of the Savior, then we are barred from a relationship with God.  But if you are washed in the saving blood of Christ and continue to sin, then you still have the relationship with God, but the joy of intimacy is lost until the sin is dealt with and repentance comes.

So, I lead to these points:  If you feel that God is far away then you should first ponder how much He has done to reach you and how much He cares for you.  Examine the Scriptures to remind yourself that He is near.  Then ponder why you feel He is far.  If there is sin – deal with it.  Either seek the covenant relationship with Him for the first time or meet Him in prayer and confess and repent.  I bet you will find that He was never far at all, but it was the enemy who made you miss His presence by accusing you of your own sin and worthlessness.  God is not far from those who seek Him.  And finally, if you feel like God is far and you need comfort, I suggest prayer and this Scripture:  Philippians 4:6-7, “Let you gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I believe “the Man upstairs” is waiting.  He is patiently waiting for us to come to Him in a relationship, in prayer, in meditation, and in peace.  As believers, we carry His very Spirit within us wherever we go.  When you get tuned into God you will find that He is only a breath away.  May you all rest in His Presence this week.

           

(I write this while thinking of Janette and Dave.  Please remember them in your prayers and pray that God will comfort them and support them during this difficult time of waiting.  See prayer requests below.)