From a distance

Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it. — Genesis 28:16

A popular song from years ago titled “From a Distance” envisions a world of harmony and peace. It says, “God is watching us from a distance.” Indeed God is watching us, but not from a distance. He is present, in the room with you, right in front of you, gazing at you with unbounded love in His eyes.

I think of the example of Brother Lawrence, who spent long years working in a kitchen washing pots and pans and repairing the sandals of other monks. He wrote: “As often as I could, I placed myself as a worshiper before Him, fixing my mind upon His holy presence.”

That is our task as well. But we forget and sometimes need reminders of His presence. I have driven an old handmade nail into the shelf over my desk to remind me that the crucified and resurrected Jesus is always present. Our task is to remember to “set the LORD always before [us]” (Ps. 16:8) — to know that He is with us to “the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20) and that “He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27).

Remembering may be as simple as calling  to mind that the Lord has promised to be with you all through the day and saying to Him, “Good morning,” or  “Thank You,” or “Help!” or “I love You.”                                          — David Roper

So near, so very near to God —

I cannot nearer be;

Yet in the person of His Son,

I am as near as He. — Paget

READ: Acts 17:22-31

No one can come so near

that God is not nearer still.

The Bible in one year:

• Luke 7-9