What is God Like? He is Near

Four Reasons We Might Feel Distant From God:

Testing: Endure SUFFERING and trials with joy and faith.

“Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds.” ()

“Not infrequently our God brings His people into difficulties on purpose that they may come to know Him as they could not otherwise do. Then He reveals Himself as ‘a very present help in trouble,’ and makes the heart glad indeed at each fresh revelation of a Father’s faithfulness. We who only see so small a part of the sweet issues of trial often feel that we would not for anything have missed them; how much more shall we bless and magnify His name when all the hidden things are brought to light!” -Hudson Taylor

Sin: Turn your heart to Christ, and TRUST in his total payment for your sin.

“but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,

and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” ()

“A sinning man will stop praying, and a praying man will stop sinning.” -Leonard Ravenhill

Busyness: Devote time EVERY DAY to seek God.

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” ()

“Every man is as close to God as he wants to be.” -A.W. Tozer

Circumstances: Persistently rely on him in PRAYER.

Particularly GOOD times.

Particularly HARD times.

“1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;

there is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,

to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.” ()

God is Present in two ways:

God is omnipresent: Take COMFORT in knowing he is always there.

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!” ()

God can indwell us: Trust in his SPIRIT to live courageously.

God’s SPIRIT is with every believer by indwelling them.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” ()

A personal relationship is offered to all, but not all will RECEIVE it.

“that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.” ()

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” ()

And can it be that I should gain An int’rest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?