So Close

Our good friend, Brandon, taught Sunday School a couple of weeks ago. He brought out an interesting point that I have been pondering lately. He was teaching on the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9 - "Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name." I have always pictured that verse as saying, "Our Father Who is way off in heaven, holy is Your name." But Brandon brought out the point that the word "heaven" actually means the atmospheric heavens - that's right here with us - how exciting is that?! He is right here! I guess sometimes I felt like my prayers had to travel all the way up to God before they were heard. How funny - I never really realized how I visually pictured these things. But when we utter our prayers to our Father, He's right in front of us - all around us. Our prayers reach Him instantly. Does that mean He answers instantly? Not always. Sometimes He does and we feel that peace, but sometimes He waits or says no. I'm glad. I don't always know what's the best for me.

What a comfort to know that God is surrounding me - that He doesn't just 'come down' every once in a while when I really need Him bad. But He's here at all times. Hebrews 13:5 says, "Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, 'I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not!" What a comfort to know that we do not have to grasp and claw and fight to hold on to every last penny or material thing, that we can just simply relax in our present circumstances no matter what they are. We have the assurance that God is right here with us - I love the passion and intensity that the Amplified Version of the Bible shows here - He will not leave us or forsake us! Once again He provides us a way to be free from self-centeredness and be able to focus on others. When we find the security that having Him surround us brings, we can then have the confidence to step out and serve others because we know we're not alone!

Have you ever felt like me - that God was sometimes far off and distant? Take heart today and tune in to His presence all around you. Reach out and access all He has for you today and every day. He doesn't just come down and pursue you when He feels like it - He is constantly and relentlessly pursuing us each and every minute. Our Father Who is right here with us, holy is Your name!