The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent.
Psalm 34:18
Like the Israelites who proclaimed, “No other nation has a god as near as the Lord our God is to us” (Deuteronomy 4:7), we too can experience His closeness. But it’s essential to understand the depth of this relationship and how it aligns with God’s expectations for us. God’s love and faithfulness led the Israelites out of Egypt and into the promised land. However, God did not lower His standards of righteousness for them. He forgave them many times, but He did not tolerate their sin. They had to walk with God and obey His commands to enjoy His presence and blessings.
It’s crucial to clarify that entering the promised land wasn’t a reward for their righteousness but a gift from God. Yet, to walk with God and inherit His promises, holiness, and righteousness were non-negotiable. God’s presence couldn’t coexist with iniquity.
The same is true for us today. God has given us a gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, but He also calls us to live holy and righteous lives. Sin separates us from God and robs us of His peace and joy. We must repent our sins and seek His forgiveness whenever we fall short of His glory.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
Psalms 34:15-20 NIV
Embraced by His undeserved grace, let’s not squander its wonder. Instead, let our every step strive to delight Him. In every whisper of temptation, let us roar resistance, turning our backs on darkness. With humble hearts, we confess our stumbles, trusting His hands to mend our wounds and mend our souls. Let praise erupt like a song, a chorus celebrating His infinite goodness and unwavering faithfulness. And from every rooftop, let our voices shout His power and glory, a testament for all the world to hear.
In conclusion, let us not wander in the shadows, deaf to His whispers. He waits, arms outstretched, a beacon in the storm. Embrace His nearness, not just in times of need but every step of the way. Walk with Him in the sunlight of obedience, hand in hand with holiness. He has showered us with the riches of life and godliness, like seeds bursting with potential. Let us tend His garden, nurture His gifts, and blossom into the people He crafted us to be, for He is our Father, the melody in our laughter, the comfort in our tears. He is our Friend, the confidante of our hearts, the champion in our battles. He is our Helper, the strength in our weakness, the light in our darkness. And we, His people, stand bathed in His grace, forever echoing His love to the world.
