How Near Is God?
God's nearness is not about geography, but about faith and likeness to Him.
Warren Wiersbe emphasizes the reality that even faithful believers like David faced troubles and felt distant from God at times, highlighting that challenges are not an indication of God's absence. He encourages the congregation to base their lives on faith rather than feelings, trusting in God's omnipresence and promise to never forsake them. Despite facing persecution and taunts from the proud, David chose to turn to the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty and care.
Text
Read Psalm 10:1-11
As we read the Book of Psalms, we find that David was constantly in and out of trouble. Some people say that Christians who really love the Lord will never be in difficult places. But that wasn't true of Moses; it wasn't true of David; and it certainly wasn't true of our Lord Jesus Christ! Our Lord ended up in the most difficult place of all--crucified on a Roman cross.
Listen to David: "Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?" (v. 1). Here are those questions once again: "Why, Lord? Where are You?" Why do we think God is far away from us? What makes us think God has deserted us? First, we know that God is everywhere. Second, He has promised not to forsake us (Heb. 13:5). David only felt as if God were far away.
That's a good lesson for us to learn. Don't base your judgments only on your feelings. Build your life on faith. Faith says, "I'm going to trust God no matter what I see, no matter what I think and no matter how I feel." Faith does not mean we are ignorant. It means we are walking in the will of God because we know the Word of God.
Yes, David was in trouble. The proud and self-sufficient were after him. They were persecuting and taunting him, "I shall not be moved." They were also saying, "God won't see it" and "God will not judge." But David came to the Lord and said, "Lord, You know all about this, and You are going to take care of it."
When it seems as if God is far away, remind yourself that He is near. Nearness is not a matter of geography. God is everywhere. Nearness is likeness. The more we become like the Lord, the nearer He is to us.
Do you desire to be nearer to God today? Fill your mind with the truth of the Word and your heart with prayer and trust God to take care of you.
Sermon Outline
- God's Nearness is a Matter of Faith
- Don't Base Your Judgments on Feelings
- Nearness is a Matter of Likeness
- Become like the Lord to be near to Him
- Fill your mind with the truth and heart with prayer
Key Quotes
“Why, Lord? Where are You?” — Warren Wiersbe
“Don't base your judgments only on your feelings. Build your life on faith.” — Warren Wiersbe
“Nearness is not a matter of geography. God is everywhere. Nearness is likeness.” — Warren Wiersbe
Application Points
- Trust God through faith, not just your feelings, by building your life on the Word of God and walking in His will.
- Fill your mind with the truth of the Word and your heart with prayer to be nearer to God.
- Become like the Lord to experience His nearness in your life.