he is near

“Now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13

Pause. Read every word of this verse with great care and focus. Allow the Holy Spirit to paint a picture of this verse on your heart. Pay attention.

Do you remember what it felt like when you didn’t know God? Do you remember the hopelessness, the loss, the confusion, and the fear that would constantly overwhelm you? Remember that feeling. Allow yourself to connect with it. After you sincerely remember your heart position without communion with God, think about the faithfulness of the Father. Think about how He is now surrounding you. Now, you are UNITED with Jesus. There is no separation. Once, you were so distant from God and His Spirit, but the blood of Christ gave you access to His nearness.

The revelation that you are surrounded by God is perhaps the most profound revelation that a believer could receive. The God of the Universe, the Alpha & Omega, the Almighty, the One that knows all that that is over all, the God is Israel, deeply cares for you. God, in all of His majesty and sovereignty, humbly draws near to you and your heart. He cares about the smallest details, and His arms surround you. Whether you realize it or not, the Spirit of God has been incredibly interested in the nuances of your heart.

I think the presence of God is similar to a baby in a womb. Imagine yourself as a beautiful infant, being nourished and protected within the mother’s womb. You are provided with everything that you need, and you are entirely protected by another person. Although God’s children seldom recognize this reality, we are all growing and developing within the womb of the Spirit. We are constantly surrounded, and we are in prime position to grow stronger. God surrounds us with Himself, and He acts as provider, protector, comforter, and friend.

Every good Father has an innate, God-given ability to make their child feel safe when they are in His arms. Our God is the greatest Father of all time, and He is the most powerful and loving person in the universe. When we KNOW Him, and we recognize His nearness, fear is irrational. It does not make sense to fear the world or its problems when you understand God’s heart and His nearness. He desires His children to take delight and comfort in being surrounded by the most loving and powerful Person.

If you have been struggling with fear, I want to encourage you to refrain from trying to “fear less.” Attempting to combat fear through willpower is exhausting, and frankly, it is impossible. Fear is conquered by one thing: Knowing God. So, if you have been struggling with fear, anxiety, or worry, remind yourself of who God is through meditation on His Word. God is better than you ever thought He was. Take time to understand His heart today. You are surrounded.

PRAYER:

Father, I love you. Thank you for the Cross. Thank you that the Cross was not only an event that atoned for my sins, but it also brought me near to your heart, so that I am surrounded by your love daily. Father, remind me what it means to be surrounded by you. Remind me that you are my protector and provider, and that when I am with you, I do not have to fear. I love you, and I want to waste my hours and my days on you. You are my best friend.

QUESTIONS:

1.     For the rest of today, how are you going to remind yourself of God’s presence surrounding you?

2.     Do you regularly feel “comforted” by God? Why or why not? What about Him is comforting?

3.     God surrounds you with Himself. How will this picture of reality frame your worship? How does this fact change your life?