MEDITATIONS
FROM THE PSALMS
December 15, 2004
Reading: Psalm 119: 143-151
“You
are near, O Lord” Ps 119:151
Truly, Father, these are words to comfort and encourage my heart. Here is another absolute, one more reality from the Almighty that leaves no room for debate—it is so. These words are like ripened fruit hanging from the Tree of Life.
My soul, when you are troubled, reach up and pluck this fruit, take it for yourself, make it yours. Can there be any greater comfort than that the Lord is near you? “They draw near that seek after mischief” (150)—doubt, discouragement, disappointment, depression (the dreaded D’s), are never far behind in their pursuit of your downfall. Now is the time to bite into that fruit and enjoy its abundant juices and pleasurable taste.
Your Lord is near, He cannot be closer. Take heart, my soul, you are one with Christ, He is in you and you are in Him. You are His possession, bought and paid for with His precious blood. Your enemies may draw near, but He is nearer. You may feel far away from God, but He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you. The rift you feel between you and your Savior is of your own doing. You are the cause, not Him.
How sweet it is to confess my sins,
my doubts and weak faith, and to find He has not departed. He felt so far away but was there all the
time. He walked with His disciples on the road to Emmaus, but they thought He
was lying in a tomb back in
“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart” Psalm 34:18.
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him” Psalm 145:18.
“I will never leave you nor forsake you” Heb 13:5.
“Lo, I am with you always” Matt 28:20.
This is the reality.
Almighty
God, so great, so holy, yet so near, I am comforted and strengthened in the
knowledge that You are near, that I am never alone. Thank You for loving me and
making me Your own. Thank You for Your nearness.
Near to me, O God of Grace,
For ever by my side;
Nothing, neither time nor space
Will cause You
from me to hide.