Nearness to God
“But for me it is good to be near God…” Psalm 73:28
Prayer not only changes things, but it changes me. Asaph writes Psalm 73 from frustration. He sees the wicked prospering. Their sin does not burden them; their consciences are seared. Yet, Asaph is going through affliction and doesn’t understand why. But time spent in prayer led him to say, “But for me it is good to be near to God.”
How did he know it was good? Good in Hebrew means “that which is truly beneficial.” Not comfortable, not easy, or prosperous, but rather beneficial.
You see, Asaph finds it beneficial, not in circumstances but in being near to God, and that is really good. Good circumstances can be very unbeneficial, even detrimental. We must understand that nearness to God is imperative to the believer, because it’s in these moments that God is doing the most incredible work in my soul. It is when we are near that we encounter God and know His personhood.
The opposite of near is far. Impressive, I know. Seriously, think about it. If I’m not drawing near to God, then I am far from God. When I’m not drawing near, and I’m far, then how can I possibly see how this trial is beneficial to my soul? How can I experience His comfort, His refinement, His mercy, if I’m distant from Him and totally enthralled in my circumstance?
Being near God is beneficial, and unfortunately, being far is detrimental. Let us press on to be near to the Lord.
Prayer not only changes things, but it changes me. Asaph writes Psalm 73 from frustration. He sees the wicked prospering. Their sin does not burden them; their consciences are seared. Yet, Asaph is going through affliction and doesn’t understand why. But time spent in prayer led him to say, “But for me it is good to be near to God.”
How did he know it was good? Good in Hebrew means “that which is truly beneficial.” Not comfortable, not easy, or prosperous, but rather beneficial.
You see, Asaph finds it beneficial, not in circumstances but in being near to God, and that is really good. Good circumstances can be very unbeneficial, even detrimental. We must understand that nearness to God is imperative to the believer, because it’s in these moments that God is doing the most incredible work in my soul. It is when we are near that we encounter God and know His personhood.
The opposite of near is far. Impressive, I know. Seriously, think about it. If I’m not drawing near to God, then I am far from God. When I’m not drawing near, and I’m far, then how can I possibly see how this trial is beneficial to my soul? How can I experience His comfort, His refinement, His mercy, if I’m distant from Him and totally enthralled in my circumstance?
Being near God is beneficial, and unfortunately, being far is detrimental. Let us press on to be near to the Lord.
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