God is Near
Psalm 132:11-12 -
11 The Lord swore to David
a true promise that God won’t
take back:
“I will put one of your
own children on your throne.
12 And if your children keep my
covenant
and the laws that I will
teach them,
then their children too will
rule on your throne forever.”
This week is a big one for many, that of Thanksgiving. It’s a week of travel. A week of eating food, enjoying family.
Or sometimes it’s a week of tension. Or depression. Or
loneliness. A week where many feel
anything but thankful.
The God we speak of in Psalm 132 is something special, though. The God we sing of here is a promise-keeping
God. A God that is unrestrained by
worldly ideas of God, by the walls of the church, or by miscommunications among
the people of God. This God is a God
that is always around us and always with us.
There’s a semi-recent praise and worship song by the duo Shane &
Shane that goes like this:
“Be near, oh God.
Be near, oh God.
You’re nearness is to us our good...”
It’s a simple refrain in the midst of a complex idea. How do we know that God is near to us? Do we just take the word of scripture at its...word? There are a number of ways that
the nearness of God can become evident to us, if we choose to pay attention.
Look at the beauty around us: Take a look at a falling leaf, with it’s
intricate designs, it’s changing colors. God is there.
In, hopefully, the people around us. We are intended to be the dwelling place of God, and we shouldn’t forget
it if we’re among those who say we follow Christ.
And, well, for me...food. I know
that God is around me because of the delicious flavors of food. Especially this week.
This is the week of Thanksgiving, where we share in grace, hope, and
love with those around us. Be mindful of
the nearness of God, but also be mindful of those that don’t know the love and
life that come with believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. If God dwells in us, God is calling us to
share love with one another.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Rev. J
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