My question I want to look at today is how we view the nearness of God.  Do we view Him as this far away force that reaches down from time to time to exert his divine influence, or do we view Him as being active in our day to day, moment to moment lives?

There are some people, who hold to Pantheistic Doctrine, which is to say that God is IN everything.  They basically believe God is in trees, in mountains, in animals, and of course in all of us.  That is not Biblically supported anywhere.  While it may sound good to some eco-people whose best friend is the tree in their front yard, named Bob, it isn’t helpful when you see all the sin present in the world, to say that God is the world, and still find comfort in His goodness.  No, God is altogether different than us, He is our creator, we are His creation, separate from him.

So if Pantheism is a heretical doctrine suggesting God is nearer than he is, the flip side is Deism, which essentially says that God flipped a switch, and put things in motion, but now is actually far away, just waiting for things to play out.   This too, is not Biblically supported.

So what is Biblically supported?  How can we find comfort in the nearness of God amidst struggles, suffering, and joy?

Acts 17:24-29 – “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.  And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.'”

Proverbs 16:9 – “The mind of man plans his way,But the LORD directs his steps.”

God is active in His creation, there is no end to God, therefore we exist within Him, as a separate creation, yet constantly under His sovereign will.  This omnipresent and omniscient God is where we draw strength during trials to know that He is powerful enough to fulfill Rom 8:28, His promise to work all things together for good for those who believe Him.

Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

For us as believers, the nearness of God is even more amazing.

1 Corinthians 3:16 –  “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”

The God who created the entire universe is well acquainted with every aspect of your life.  He is not far away, for us, He is more than the air we breathe, He dwells in us, guiding us, comforting us, convicting us, leading us to Him.  My encouragement today is to ask yourself what things about your life have you told yourself God is indifferent towards, or God doesn’t understand your circumstances.  Then, with the scripture above as encouragement, press those things back into God, and cast every anxiety and struggle on Him, knowing He cares for you.

Grace and Peace,
Adam