A God At Hand

“The heart is deceitful above all things,
    and desperately sick;
    who can understand it?
‘I the Lord search the heart
    and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
    according to the fruit of his deeds.’

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
    save me, and I shall be saved,
    for you are my praise.
Behold, they say to me,
    ‘Where is the word of the Lord?
    Let it come!..’

“Thus said the Lord to me: ‘Go and stand in the People’s Gate… and say: “Hear the word of the Lord..: Take care for the sake of your lives…” Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck, that they might not hear and receive instruction.’

“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.  I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name… How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, who think to make my people forget my name?” Jeremiah 17:9-10,14-15, 19-21,23; 23:23-27

“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

God’s prophecy through Jeremiah pierces to divide the soul and spirit of Israel. Its piercing tip points at false prophets who attempted to hide their deception and lies, and stings the core of all who would with stiff neck deceive. God is surely at hand beside every desperately wicked heart, eager to change its incline, able to heal. (Hebrews 4:12)

To people around us, it is fairly easy to present ourselves a pretty package, cleaned up, under control. But to God, who fills heaven and earth and knows us intimately, we cannot keep our sin secret behind smiling façade and neat dress. He sees the filth we try to hide. He is at hand to convict, expose, and cleanse. What a merciful redeemer! (Mark 7:21-23)

And if he is at hand ready to forgive every sin, He is also at hand ready to meet every need. He is an ever present help in trouble, a father to the fatherless, the God of all comfort, our strength in weakness and ever-present advocate and intercessor. (Psalm 46:1; 68:5; 2 Corinthians 1:3; 12:9; Hebrews 7:25)

Why do we worry? Why do we fear? What do we lack? What causes despair? Our loving God is at hand! Hearing our cries! Strong to save! Upholding and undergirding and leading us forward! For those who lie sleepless and fretting, He gives rest! For those who stew in anger or roil with bitterness, He washes clean and transforms hearts! What keeps us from appealing to this gracious God at hand? What cares can we place in His loving mighty hands today? (Ezekiel 36:26; Matthew 11:28)

Lord, keep me alert to Your nearness and Your word foremost so I live to exalt Your name.