At our church's last prayer meeting of 2023, a sister reminded us of this truth about God: "He is so close, and whatever we say, He hears."
This evokes very different thoughts and feelings depending on a person's relationship to God.
Someone who is afraid of God or hates Him may feel anxious, antagonistic, condemned, and judged.
Someone who knows God as their Heavenly Father may instead feel comforted, reverent, grateful, and at peace.
He is the same God; He doesn't change based on our perspective. But our feelings change with knowledge and experience.
All of the following is true: God is God. He is immutably pure, He is Love, He is a just Judge, He is tender hearted, He is the powerful Creator. And, He can be known as a doting Father.
Once we ask to join His family through His Son Jesus Christ, we are adopted! We live as His children under the roof of His provision and love, loving Him in return, respecting His house rules, and carrying on His name. We experience the joys that come with His generosity, forgiveness, and reconciliation to Him. This is Who He is, but anyone who hasn't accepted Christ's free invitation is alienated from God, looking from too far a distance to truly understand.
Yet no matter where you choose to stand, whether within His house or without, God remains God; so He is close, and whatever you say, He hears. Your choice to call to Him for reconciliation or to cast aside His invitation will determine whether this truth brings you comfort or condemnation.
Acts 17:24-28 ESV
"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 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, for “‘In Him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed His offspring.’"
Isaiah 55:6-7 ESV
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."
1 Chronicles 28:9 ESV
“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever."
By: Anyaeleh