A God at Hand

 “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away?  Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:23-24

“Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:7-10

“He is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being.’” Acts 7:27-28

How easy it is to go about days with regard for only what we see and feel. Pressures here, responsibilities there, chatter here, plan for there, piddle here, speed there… and nary a thought for the invisible, immanent God over all and near. We peons stay large and in charge as long as He’s not involved, and prefer our provincial, self-contained world. Why would He care about me anyway? I can order my hours, nurse my desires, hide my sins, control my daily destiny if He’s distant and preoccupied in heaven.

But the infinite omnipotent God is indeed at hand, everywhere and with everyone, and He cares very much for His own. He knows our thoughts before they catch fire, sees our hidden passions, understands our inexpressible needs. Since He is at hand, why do we not take His hand and Him as our constant companion? (1 Kings 8:39-40; Psalm 8:3-5; 139:1-4; Matthew 8:6; Hebrews 4:12)

When we are faced with hard decisions that require unusual, maybe unnatural boldness, the Lord at hand gives courage. When we’re called to battle against temptation enemies of doubt, worry, sloth, hatred, ridicule, the Lord is at hand to fight for us, mighty in battle and strong to conquer and save. (Exodus 14:13-14; Joshua 1:9; Zephaniah 3:17)

When we cannot shake the regret from a past decisions, the hurt from past rejection, or resentment from a betrayal or wound, God at hand readily applies His balm of comfort, redemption, and forgiveness. When we’re choked in grief or anger, and no longer know how to pray, the Lord is at hand interceding, always and perfectly according to God’s good will. He is with us, for us, near. (Romans 8:26-27,31-34; 2 Corinthians 1:3-6,8b-10)

All of this is true as God’s word claims. Do we believe this? If so, what difference is it making? Do we read and nod and give assent, yet never act on the power, freedom, or victory given? Do we pity ourselves for weak faith but never step out hand-in-hand with the Lord, believing, and so exercise it? Do repeat and coddle past grievances and never make progress forward, because moving means tripping over excuses?

Up! And on! God is at hand and is calling us to be conformed to Him daily. (Romans 12:1-2)

My Lord at hand, give me zeal to grow and change as You see fit, so I mimic Your character, bear much fruit, and magnify Your glory.