“…The LORD is Near”- Philippians 4:5

On the Tuesday before his death John Wesley tried with difficulty to be understood, though he often attempted to speak. At last, with all the strength he had he cried out, “THE BEST OF ALL GOD IS WITH US.” What a Proclamation of Exuberance and Exaltation to the Power and Promises and Person of God in the midst of the final throwes of death. Again waving his hand, and waving it in triumph, John Wesley exclaimed with Thrilling effect, “THE BEST OF ALL IS, GOD IS WITH US.” For Wesley in Death He realized the Lord was with him and death was but a shadow, that His Lord would walk him through into the Glory of His Presence.

In Philippians chapter 4: Paul writes to these dear followers of Christ on How to stand firm and be spiritually solid. One of the things he mentions is the Reality of the Lords Presence. Scripture has many assurances to impart to God’s people regarding the NEARNESS OF GOD. Consider some instances and what the NEARNESS OF GOD is meant to produce. In Philippians we see the Lord is near weak, anxious, struggling Christians. His Presence is meant to steady their lives and believers are to build their thinking and foundation of their lives on the strength of God’s Word and what it reveals about His character which in turn inspires them to Live lives that are stable and to His Honor. It is a progressive change that is to be continually taking place. Let’s consider some things that The Nearness of God can produce in your life and mine.

1. The Nearness of God is meant to produce – CHARACTER.

Consider Joseph who was consistently enticed by Potiphars wife to sin with her. In Genesis 39,verse 7 we read….”It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her.” {Genesis 39:7-10}

Joseph realized that he lived and moved in the full Presnce of God and the Nearness of God influenced his actions and revealed his CHARACTER. Response to Temptation reveals our faithfulness, either to self or God. It reveals our Character. And we must remember the Nearness of God and live in light and act in light of His Nearness. The Nearness of God influenced Jospeh to make God honoring choices in the daily onslaught of sexual temptation. He chose to honor God, and thus we see Godly character displayed.

 

2. The Nearness of God is meant to produce – COURAGE
Psalm 46:1-3 – “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.”

In Light of the Psalmist KNOWING the UNCHANGING CHARACTER OF GOD- in light of changing events around him, his COURAGE is anchored in the Unchanging Character of God. We need to become familiar with the Character of God and in realizing Who He is – it should instill Courage to us in times of great upheavel. Familiarize yourself with His character. Look at the words used above. The psalmist says “God IS”…Presently “Is” “our refuge, strength a very present help in TROUBLE.” It was in times of “Trouble” The Psalmist Knew of His character and recalled it for Gods people, and his courage came from Who He knew God to be.

3. The Nearness of God is meant to inspire – CONFIDENCE.

Hebrews 13:5-6- “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” so that we CONFIDENTLY  say, THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”

The various Writers Confidence was in the PERSON and PROMISES of God. CHARACTER, CONFIDENCE, COURAGE, were motivated by the NEARNESS OF GOD… and consider also

 

4. The Nearness of God is meant to Produce – CALMNESS and COMFORT

Phil 4:5 – “…The Lord is NEAR.” Sandwiched in between feuding believers whom Paul has just confronted in order to change their behavior- and anxiety which was characterizing the followers of Christ here in Philippi is this beautiful 4 worded phrase “THE LORD IS NEAR” It is meant to cause those who are feuding to realize the Lord is Present….also to Instill COMFORT to those who were being anxious and having their minds distracted through worry. The Nearness of God is meant to instil CALMNESS of heart.

YOUR M-A-P for today
M- MEDITATE– Write out the verse Phil 4:5- “The Lord is near” and meditate, chew on each word separately and then move on to the next one and think about His Nearness when you are Tempted to Sin, when tempted to fear, when tempted to lose perspective and be a lover of money rather than Content with Himself. When around you perhaps believers are feuding in the church and you or others are worrying and dishonoring God by doubting His promises… it is time to MEDITATE- Pause and THINK on the TRUTH “THE LORD IS NEAR.”

A- APPLY – God’s Word. And allow yourself to Think on Him and this Truth- The reality and Promise that “The Lord is NEAR”- NEARER than your breath. More real than what you see. The Lord is near at all times in all places. Allow the Nearness of the Lord to Influence your choices which make up Godly responses and produce CHARACTER like Joseph. Allow His Nearness to influence your Courage and Confidence in His Character and in times of trouble allow the Nearness of the Lord Jesus to instill Comfort and Influence Calmness of heart for you. For it is “THE LORD”- Maker of Heaven and Earth, Sustainer of all things and Sovereign over all- who is Present with you- It is Good news – “The Lord is Near.” He is near the “broken hearted” He is near us when we each will walk through the shadow of death. As Wesley said triumphantly “The BEST of all is, THE LORD IS WITH US.”

P- PRAY– Ask the Lord to help you realize He is Present and allow His Nearness shape your character and choices, produce courage, confidence, and calmness of heart

Bless Him that He is always Near you….

You are so loved that The Lord is Near you, He is for you, He strengthens, loves, enables, and with you wherever you are! “Oh Give THANKS to the LORD for He is GOOD!”