God's Closeness is Better
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Introduction
Introduction
Our lives are a journey. God uses all of our moments, all of our experiences, all of our decisions to craft this beautiful symphony together that makes Him known.
That’s the reason you & I exist: to find our ultimate joy in God through Jesus. As a matter of fact, in heaven, which way are our hearts going to be turned? What’s going to be the attention getter in heaven? Jesus.
That’s exactly what the writer of , Asaph, knew to be true.
God’s Word
God’s Word
Psalm 73:25-
Psalm
28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. 28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
TRUTH: The closeness of God is better.
21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
Being known and knowing God is the reason why you exist.
Our closeness to God isn’t based on our efforts, but by the grace of God in Christ.
We are already brought close to God through faith in Jesus.
It’s us that choose to neglect the reality of walking with God on a daily basis.
For most of us, reads like this,
“For me it is inconvenient to be near God.”
“For me it is unpractical to be near God.”
“For me I don’t have time to be near God.”
“For me I forget about God.”
“For me it is good to be near my stuff, my people, my schedule, my phone, etc.”
Let’s Think About This
Let’s Think About This
The one true God who is infinite, who surpasses our finite minds, makes Himself known to us and desires to dwell with us.
Q - What’s our deal??
Answer: We’d rather not. We’d rather do other things with our time. We’d rather spend our days focusing on us when God has given us the invitation to spend our days discovering Him. This is a tragedy.
The author, Asaph, made a significant statement after declaring that it was good to be near God.
“I have made the Lord God my refuge.”
Your refuge is where you spend most of your time.
Asaph stayed put at his refuge.
Actually Asaph’s refuge was present with him wherever he want.
His relationship with God wasn’t on a “Ill go see you God when I get a chance” basis, but on a “You got to come with me wherever I go” basis.
People who walk with God know God. People who walk with are know what it’s like to be known by God.
Enoch -
21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
Enoch was on the earth walking with God so closely God chose to take him and bring Enoch into glory with Himself. What!? Crazy.
Enoch modeled for us then what it looks like now to walk intimately with God in a way that ushers us into eternity.
Enoch would echo the same words as Asaph, “Whom have I in heaven, but you?”
Psalm 73
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
It’s amazing what happens when you 100% rely on God’s strength & power in our life.
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The indwelling Holy Spirit is always in you.
College dorm room - Top Bunk
28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
Psalm 73:2
TRUTH: The closeness of God is better.
God’s presence is better