THE NEARNESS OF GOD

Theologians often use complex words to describe simple truths. One such word is "omnipresence", which means "present in all places simultaneously". God alone is omnipresent – He is present at all places at all times, and there is not any place where He is not. God was with you the last time you thought you were alone. God is here right now as you read this. Because God is omnipresent the statement "God is here" can always be said and it will always be true.

Not only is God always present, but He sees everything we do (Jer 23:23-24) and knows our every thought, plan and desire (1 Chr 28:9). This is good news for the righteous, because it means that God can (and will) search our hearts, root out the wickedness, and lead us in the way of life. This is something we should regularly ask Him to do (Ps 139:23-24), Again, since God is everywhere, there is no place where He cannot comfort us (Ps 139:8), and there no place, circumstance, or person that should cause us to fear (Ps 46:1-3). God's presence gives us hope and the confidence that He will fulfill His good plans for us (Jer 29:11; Phil 2:13). Because God is near we can call upon Him and He will hear and respond (Ps 145:18; Pro 15:29; 1 Chr 28:9).

These are benefits that God has given His people in Christ (Eph 1:3). It is because of Christ alone that we are made righteous and that God hears our prayers (1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 5:21; John 14:6). It is because of Christ that we receive comfort from God (2 Cor 2:3-5). It is because of Christ that we can be confident and live without fear (He 13:5-8). And it is because of Christ that God will fulfill His good plans for us (Ro 8:28-32). Those outside of Christ do not enjoy these benefits (Eph 1:3). In fact, the Bible says that whereas God is "with" His people (Matt 28:20), He is "far" away from the wicked (Pr 15:29). Let us examine ourselves then, to see if we are in Christ (2 Cor 13:5), and then let us draw near to God with the confidence that Christ gives (He 10:19-25).

-Chuck-