A Verse for When… You Want to be Near God
Perhaps you’ve had a moment when you’ve been reading the Bible, and something just makes you smile. A certain phrase, a specific idea, or maybe it’s a biblical principle that makes you smile because it’s just exactly what you needed to hear in that moment. When I come across a verse or phrase like this, I usually highlight it in my Bible so I’ll remember in the future that the verse jumped off the page for me. With this verse that’s on my mind today, not only did I highlight it, but I also put a little smiley face next to it. 🙂
Here’s the verse:
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. -Psalm 73:28
Isn’t that just the sweetest? So many things try to separate us from God. People, jobs and busy schedules. Self-centeredness, pride and apathy. Difficult relationships, church hurt and general anxiety. Satan works relentlessly, doing anything he can to put distance between God and His children. He fills our minds with lies and deception, making us believe that we’re too busy, too independent, or maybe too good for God. Whatever he can get us to believe? That’s the story he’ll run with.
But I just love how sweetly and plainly Psalm 73:28 spells it out. But as for me, it is good to be near God. May that be a belief you hold onto tightly. As for you, it is good to be near God! Nearness makes things so much better.
How might nearness be beneficial? Being close to God can bring:
- Comfort
- Clarify
- Peace
- Safety
- Understanding
- Trust
- Empowerment
- Refuge
- Protection
- Wisdom
On the flip side, how does distance from God make you feel? In my experience, distance can bring:
- Loneliness
- Fear
- Confusion
- Doubt
- Distrust
- Disconnection from His purpose/plan
- Increased temptation
- Danger
- Ignorance
A quick glance at both of those lists leaves a pretty clear conclusion of which one is preferable. Would you ever actually choose loneliness, confusion and doubt intentionally? Highly unlikely. When given a choice between the two, I’d take the list with comfort, peace, protection and safety every single time.
It’s pretty hard to disagree with the statement, But as for me, it is good to be near God. So the real question remains… How are you actively pursuing nearness with the Lord? If you’re going through entire days without talking to Him, opening His Word or worshiping Him, nearness probably isn’t in the picture for you right now. The good news is that if that’s your reality at the moment, there are simple things you can do to change your reality drastically and immediately. Bottom line, you’ve just got to abide in Christ. He is the vine, and you are a branch. You must go about your day-to-day life in such a way that you’re remaining connected to Him.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” -John 15:5-6
Some of the fruits of remaining close to Jesus are those same benefits of nearness listed above. And then, they blossom into more fruits that showcase your love for Jesus to the world around you. The goodness that comes alongside nearness to the Lord ends up benefitting not only you, but the people in your family, workplace, church, friend groups and community, as well. What could be better?
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. -Psalm 73:28