The Nearness of God.

The Nearness of God.

He is never closer than in our trials.
I want to share with you two verses from Helen Spurrell’s translation of the first Hebrew text: “When designing pursuers approached me, who are faraway from thy law; then thou, O Jehovah, wast near, with all thy faithful commandments” (Psalm 119:150-151).
Embedded during this passage may be a glorious truth which will change your life, bringing you peace and supplying you with rest beyond anything you've got yet experienced. Once you understand the very fact that God loves you and is continually near you, all fear and anxiety must go.
In this text, the Psalmist sees the wicked approaching him, coming ever closer in an effort to ruin and destroy him. He’s saying, “Vile, corrupt, plotting sinners are gaining on me. They’re all around me, and their power is mounting. they're bent my total destruction!”
We all have such an enemy; it's the enemy of our souls, the devil. He always has one purpose in mind: to destroy God’s work and seduce and discourage his people. Indeed, Satan uses all of his power and craftiness to chop Christians faraway from the Lord’s favor and presence. that's exactly what he’s trying to try to to immediately in your life, attempting to wipe out everyone who follows Jesus. “They have said, ‘Come, and allow us to cut them faraway from being a nation, that the name of Israel could also be remembered no more’” (Psalm 83:4, NKJV).

At times, it appears the devil is on the verge of victory.

Satan won't be satisfied until he sees the entire ruin and downfall of each godly ministry, church and true lover of Jesus. He never stops. he's always pursuing us with a design out of hell.
Satan stimulated Paul’s enemies in Antioch who railed against the apostle, stoning him and dragging him out of the town , thinking he was dead. God said no to the devil’s plans in Antioch and delivered Paul.
Before Paul’s deliverance, are you able to imagine the multitudes of demons depending on from the imaginary place and laughing gleefully, counting the good preacher’s last breaths, waiting to attend his funeral? are you able to see Satan himself boasting, “We have cut him down, razed him to the bottom , ruined him! Paul and his preaching soon are going to be just a memory. we've destroyed the gospel. Paul has been brought down”?
How wrong Satan was. “However, when the disciples gathered around (Paul), he rose up and went into the town . and therefore the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe” (Acts 14:20). Paul was raised up immediately, and he marched right back to the town , his head held high. He once testified, “Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should always not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9).
If you're keen on Jesus, you're a marked person in hell, and Satan will attempt to cut you right down to the bottom . you'll agree, “I can feel those designing pursuers you’re talking about closing in on me. Satan has put me during a lion’s den.” This was David’s condition. He testified, “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they might have swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us” (Psalm 124:2-3).
Think of the awful temptation and failure of David, a person after God’s heart. He was sorely tempted, fell into adultery, lied and murdered an innocent man. I’m sure that when the prophet Nathan exposed him, David may need been tempted to possess Nathan executed, worsening his sin. Or Satan may need convinced David he was down for the count, expecting him to present his hands and say, “What’s the use? I even have disgraced God. I’ve sinned against the sunshine , committing the very sins I’ve preached against. God can never use me now.”
The Psalmist voices the hope of these who repent of horrible sins. “The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death” (Psalm 118:18). The Psalmist said in essence, “I was tempted and tried, but God wouldn't turn me over to Satan’s power or to the death I deserved. He delivered me!”
The temptations and trials sent upon us from hell aren't unusual. Peter writes, “Beloved, don't think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to undertake you, as if some strange thing happened to you” (1 Peter 4:12). Paul adds, “No temptation has overtaken you except like is common to man; but God is faithful, who won't allow you to be tempted beyond what you're able, but with the temptation also will make the way of escape, that you simply could also be ready to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
There is nothing strange in the least about what's happening to you. you'll be discouraged because the enemy has come against you wish a flood. The attack might be through lust, covetousness, a financial crisis or health scare, and you think that , “Here i'm trying to serve the Lord, doing my best to like him and be faithful to him, but things keep getting worse. Is there something wrong with me? Why do my problems keep piling up?”
I urge you to seem around at others on your right, on your left, ahead of you, behind you; most are browsing something. Behind the grins of your dear brothers and sisters in Christ are many tears. they're hurting with trials you recognize nothing about. No, you're not alone in your suffering, and your trial isn't some strange, unusual circumstance. What you're browsing is common to multitudes.

 Now, let me offer you some glorious news.

The devil isn't as wanting to destroy you as God is to deliver you.

God is more prepared to stay his promises to you than the devil is to ruin you. Indeed, the nearer the enemy involves you, the Lord is all the nearer.
“When designing pursuers approached me, who are faraway from thy law; then Thou, O Jehovah, wast near, with all thy faithful commandments” (Psalm 119:150-151, Spurrell). The Psalmist said, in short, “Lord, if my enemies are approaching to destroy me, you're almost me in my time of need.”
God says he's especially almost the downcast and brokenhearted so as to defend them. “The Lord is almost those that have a broken heart, and saves like have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18, NKJV).
Are you a toddler of God? Does the Lord Jesus sleep in you? God says he's almost you in your anguish. Here is his promise to you.
“Fear not, for I even have redeemed you; I even have called you by your name; you're mine. once you undergo the waters, i will be able to be with you; and thru the rivers, they shall not overflow you. once you rehearse the hearth , you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For i'm the Lord your God, the Holy one among Israel, your Savior… Since you were precious in my sight, you've got been honored, and that i have loved you; therefore i will be able to give men for you, and other people for your life. Fear not, for i'm with you” (Isaiah 43:1-5).
The Psalmist Asaph testified of the Lord, “You hold me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23). He was saying, “God not only is near me but is walking with me, hand in hand, through this whole mess. Let all my enemies come after me. I’ve got my hand within the Father’s.” Moreover, Asaph said that God gave him counsel and direction. “You will guide me together with your counsel” (Psalm 73:24).
Many dear Christians tell me of their incredible hardships, problems that keep piling up, discouragements that continue coming at them. Humanly speaking, these all seem to be impossible situations. My heart goes bent every believer who experiences such trials.
However, every Christian has got to be convinced that they're precious and loved, which God is near. In fact, the nearer the enemy comes, the more faithful God is to reveal his nearness, and therefore the more tightly he holds his precious child’s hand.

 

If you'll believe that God is almost you, you want to believe he will act for you.

God’s honor is at stake once we pray to him, and he won’t be mocked for not answering. The Bible says of him, “He won't allow your foot to be moved; he who keeps you'll not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3-4). Our God is aware of our needs in the least times, and he's aware of every pain and hurt.
Here is what God promises you, if you'll practice approaching to him all day long. “Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; let those also who hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the hearth , so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous be glad; allow them to rejoice before God; yes, allow them to rejoice exceedingly. Sing to God, sing praises to his name; extol him who rides on the clouds, by his name Yah, and rejoice before him” (Psalm 68:1-4).
Talk to the Lord, search for his nearness, and he will do of these things for you. He will scatter your enemies and chase away all demonic pursuers. you'll know the blessed grip of his hand in the least times. Hallelujah!