GOD IS – NEAR!

GOD IS – NEAR!

Deut 4:7

7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh [near] unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

1 Kings 18:27-28

27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them [the prophets of Baal], and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

           The great contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal proved God to be a God who hears us whisper. There was no need for herculean efforts to attract His attention. There was no need to damage the body to prove earnestness. Neither cutting of the flesh nor ceremonial dancing was required to wake Him. Jehovah was, and still is, a God who is nigh to all that call upon him. In the raising of Lazarus there was no grand demonstration from Jesus. Jesus only spoke a few soft words of prayer.

John 11:41-43

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

           The more urgent our need the more intense becomes our praying. That is not due to the need to awaken a sleeping God. God is near. God is awake and vigilant. God cares and has an answer. I was reminded of this just last night when our men were discussing a particularly frustrating problem. One suggestion after another was earnestly offered when I was reminded that we are not petitioning a small god but a mighty God. He already has the answer and it will probably surprise us when the answer comes.

Ps 145:18-19

18 The LORD is nigh [near] unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

Dear Father, bend low and listen as your children murmur your name in whispered prayer. Answer like the mighty God you are. AMEN