Thou art near, O Lord

Psalm 119:151

Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

Could there be a more consoling affirmation? Could there be any statement more laden with comfort than this one? Thou art near, O Lord! What a great strength this provides for us! It imparts to us that which nothing else imparts. And it upholds and reassures us in such a way that nothing and no one else does. In grief and in joy, in sorrow and in laughter, in hurt and in health, He is near! His presence is around us, enclosing and encompassing us like a wall of fire about us! It is as if we are fenced up with impregnable fortresses. Nothing can stand against it, move it, destroy it, or take it down. In is an impenetrable protection. Because, if God be for us, who can be against us?

No one can be against us if God is on our side. Why then should we fear what man can do unto us? Why then should we be afraid of evil tidings? Our heart should be fixed, trusting in the Lord. The fortress of His protection is fixed; therefore, let us be fixed upon that. We must not fear. There is nothing to fear while the Lord is near! We are sheltered in His love! Oh, dear one, cease from worry or fear in the physical or non-physical realm. Worry not in your mind, and tremble not in your being. Be not anxious whatever be tide, for there is always the Master by our side. Cease from the feeling of loneliness, for we are never alone. We always have the ever-present help of the Lord. He is a very present help. Run to Him, closer than you have been before. Make Him your stay, your constant refuge, and the haven of rest for your soul. For He is always near!

Tho’ the night be dark around me

I am safe, for He is near;

Never shall my foes confound me,

While the Savior’s voice I hear.

Precious hiding place,

Precious hiding place,

In the shelter of His love;

Not a doubt or fear,

Since my Lord is near,

And I’m sheltered in His love.

Avis B. Christiansen

“Father, we thank you that you are always near us. May there be no sin, doubt, bitter feelings, or unconfessed deeds that may intervene between you and us. May we stay close to Thy precious bleeding side, resting fully in Thy wonderful presence. We are resting now by Thy grace. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”