By Elin Henderson
“Yet, You are near, oh LORD...”
Psalms 119:151a
(NKJV)
In
ancient African folklore, it is believed that long ago God was very near to His
people. But one day, while a woman was pounding her maize with her mortar and
pestle, she carelessly bumped God on her upswing. God got angry, left in a
huff, and ever since, He has been very distant and upset with people here on
earth.
With
our Western mentality, we look at this as almost ludicrous, but it is reality
for many people. For them, God is distant and upset with them. He really doesn’t
care about them. Now imagine that understanding permeating an entire culture.
Practically, it leads to a mentality of desperation and hopelessness. It also
causes a “free for all,” as people believe there is no God keeping tabs on them
nor looking over their shoulders. Does that sound familiar at all? This
mentality is not as foreign as we think, but actually describes much of our
Western society today!
Yet,
from the beginning on, we see that God is seeking to draw near to man. In the
garden, He walked and talked with Adam and Eve. People like Joseph and David
knew deeply of God’s nearness. Jesus himself brought this nearness to a new
level by being Immanuel - - “God with us.”
What
does this mean for believers? We do not serve a distant, uninvolved God. He is
relationally very near. At times, it may feel as though He is distant, but that
couldn’t be farther from the truth. We see this so clearly in Psalms 139. His
nearness brings protection, rest, hope, security, and so much more. To all who
turn to Him, He is near.
Today,
may we thank and praise Him that He is a God who is not far off, but nearer
than we think!
GOING DEEPER
1. How can knowing His nearness help us when we experience difficulties?
How about the times when we need direction, wisdom, discernment?
2. If many people today carry this mindset of “God doesn’t care, He is
far away,” how can we help them to realize that He is closer than they think?
FURTHER READING:
Oakwood’s
missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as
church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique,
Africa.
Elin is mother to eleven-year-old Callie and nine-year-old Elias.
