HE’S NEAR - REALLY
READING: DEUTERONOMY 30:11-20
Committed Christians desire in their hearts to faithfully respond to God’s directions and commands. To some this seems to be a difficult goal to achieve. For them attempts to be responsive daughters and sons of the Heavenly Father are challenging and sometimes frustrating. There is the sense that this kind of faithfulness is an impossible demand. It is as though it is all mysterious and far off. There is encouragement for those who experience these feelings. Actually it is encouragement that is good for all of us. Deuteronomy 31:11 informed the Israelites that his commandment to them was not too mysterious or far off. Because of our salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit, that promise is even more true for us today. Further, as quoted above, we have the added promise of the nearness of the Lord and of His empowerment for us. The solid reality of this nearness is for all of God’s children, but it can’t be earned or controlled. It is a gift from the Lord that can be received only by accepting it from Him as the Giver. This gift comes to all who turn to Jesus believing and expecting. The Holy One is truly near and ready to impart just as the scriptures promise. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.
RESPONSE
2. Why does God give to us so freely?
