You are as close to God as you choose to be. God is as close as you choose. He is close to all who call on him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who reverence and trust him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. He protects all those who love him, but destroys the wicked (Psalm 145:18-20 TLB). You are near, O Lord; and all your teachings are true (Psalm 119:151 BBE). He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary (master of my judgment)? let him come near to me (Isaiah 50:8). For what other nation, great or small, has God among them, as the Lord our God is here among us whenever we call upon him (Deuteronomy 4:7 TLB)?
And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to him. Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and sincere grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Then when you realize your worthlessness before the Lord, he will lift you up, encourage and help you (James 4:8-10 TLB). Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment (justice) as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass (Psalm 37:3-7). Submit yourselves therefore to God (James 4:7).
The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking; he rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins (Psalm 34:18 TLB). His purpose in all of this is that they should seek after God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and are! As one of your own poets says it, We are the sons of God (Acts 17: 27-28 TLB). God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1 TLB). But I stand silently before the Lord, waiting for him to rescue me. For salvation comes from him alone. Yes, he alone is my Rock, my rescuer, defense, and fortress—why then should I be tense with fear when troubles come? My protection and success come from God alone. He is my refuge, a Rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust him all the time. Pour out your longings before him, for he can help (Psalm 62 5-8 TLB)! Just look up. God is closer than you think. Just look up.
Enjoy your blessings. - KW
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