No other nation, no matter how great, has a god who is so near when they need him as the Lord our God is to us. He answers us whenever we call for help.
Deuteronomy 4:7 GNT
Remember the Israelites? They weren’t just blessed with fancy land and victory (though they got plenty of that). They had something truly rare: a God who was “so near when they needed him”. This verse from Deuteronomy captures the testimony of the Israelites through Moses, as they journeyed into the promised land. They had experienced God’s greatness and glory in many ways, and they knew that no other god could compare to their God – the only true God. Indeed, no other nation could compete with their divine connection, and trust me, their God wasn’t some distant ruler, hiding in smoky clouds. They experienced Him personally, both as a whole and individually.
When the whole mountain was on fire and you heard the voice from the darkness, your leaders and the chiefs of your tribes came to me and said, ‘The Lord our God showed us his greatness and his glory when we heard him speak from the fire! Today we have seen that it is possible for people to continue to live, even though God has spoken to them.
Deuteronomy 5:23-24 GNT
Their experience of God was not abstract or vague. It was real and personal. They had witnessed God’s power in delivering them from the Egyptians, providing them with manna and quail, and making water flow from the rock. They had seen God’s presence among them, as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Likewise, they had heard God’s voice from the fire on Mount Sinai, where He gave them the Ten Commandments. Moses, their leader, had an even closer relationship with God.
“Now hear what I have to say! When there are prophets among you, I reveal myself to them in visions and speak to them in dreams. It is different when I speak with my servant Moses; I have put him in charge of all my people Israel. So I speak to him face-to-face, clearly and not in riddles; he has even seen my form…”
Numbers 12:6-8 GNT
Now, we might think, “That was then, this is now.” But guess what? The good news is our access to God’s nearness is even deeper through Jesus! No more need for mountains splitting open or prophets relaying messages. Thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice, we’re brought “near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). He tore down the barriers and made us family with God!
…remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Ephesians 2:12-14, 17-18 NIV
Here’s the amazing part: God doesn’t just hang out at a cosmic address; He actually lives inside us through the Holy Spirit. That means we can just call on Him anytime, anywhere, because He’s already there, listening. Now, that doesn’t mean we can walk around like spiritual gangsters, demanding stuff. True closeness comes with respect and open hearts. James reminds us that this closeness demands humility, purity, and tuning into His presence.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:7-10 NIV
In conclusion, the Lord our God is near to us whenever we need Him. He is a faithful and loving God, who delights in showing us His grace and mercy. He invites us to come to Him and experience His presence and power in our lives. Furthermore, He wants us to know Him and love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. He is the only true God, and there is no other like Him.
So, ditch the distance. Forget the stuffy rituals. God isn’t some far-off genie in a lamp. He’s closer than your next breath, waiting to embrace you with His love and guidance. Take a deep breath, whisper a prayer, open your heart, and discover the incredible nearness of the One who’s always been just a heartbeat away.
