GOD NEAR US

 GOD NEAR US

(Message to the Church by Pastor S. Visuvasam on Sunday, 25^th July ‘10)

 

For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee,

Fear not; I will help thee.

                                                                                                                                                                   - Isaiah  41:13

 

The Lord is giving us this promise today.  Whether there is anyone for us or not the Lord is on our side.  He stands close to us and says "I am your help".

 

Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou

thyself in times of trouble?

                                                                                                                                                                         - Psalms  10:1

 

Sometimes because of certain things that we do, which displeases the Lord, He stands afar off. Maybe because of what he dislikes in us. But most of the time He is always near us.

 

What will happen when His presence comes near us? What does the Lord do?

 

1. HE ENCOURAGE US   

 

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said,

 Be of good cheer, Paul: for us thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem,

so must thou bear witness also in Rome.

                                                                                                                                                   - Acts 23:11

 

What a wonderful experience for Paul.  Because of ministry there were lot of oppositions and afflictions because of which Paul was very much discouraged.  But God came near and stood by him saying "Be of Good Cheer".

 

The Lord is always there to encourage us, when we get discouraged.  The words of men might break our heart, during those times the Lord comes near us and encourages us. Not only did He encourage Paul but also told him the ministry that he has to do is not over yet.  There is still more to be accomplished. 

 

The Lord has come to encourage us and lead us.

 

2. HE GIVES PROMISE

 

            vs.15 - "And, behold, I am with thee..."

-          Genesis 28:13-15

 

The life of Jacob was in danger with oppositions from all sides.  His own brother wanted to kill him.  In that situation he came all alone to the Lord.

 

The Lord came down to him and gave him promises.

 

The Lord also will be faithful till he fulfills all his promises, not only to us but also to our generation after us.

 

 

3. HE REVEALS HIS PLANS

 

"And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in

a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush..."

-          Exodus 3:2, 5

 

The Lord gave appearance to Moses in a different manner. The Lord appeared unto him out of a flame of fire out of the midst of a burning bush.

 

Through that the Lord reveals to his servant Moses the plan that he had in redeeming and delivering the people of Israel out of bondage and out of the land of Egypt. 

 

The Lord could have delivered the children of Israel easily overnight but he brought those ten plagues upon the people of Egypt to prove that all the gods of Egypt that they worship is nothing.

 

We might not know the plans of God at the beginning but later we will understand. Though we may think it is not happening our way, yet, the Lord does everything perfectly in our life to fulfill his wondrous plans.

 

 

4. HE TELLS OUT HIS NATURE/CHARACTER

 

"The Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there

and proclaimed the name of the Lord".

-          Exodus 34:5, 6, 7

 

We see over here the Lord revealing his nature and his character.  Why did he do so? He wanted to reveal himself completely to his servant Moses.

 

The Lord says he is merciful, gracious, longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.

 

He is merciful towards us – His children. He will not always chide.

 

5. HE TURNS THE CURSE INTO BLESSING

 

vs.26 "The angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place,

where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left".

vs.34 "And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, I have sinned..."

 

-Numbers 22:26, 34, 35

 

Over here Baalam the prophet was called upon to curse the children of Israel. He did not know the people of Israel therefore he went ahead to curse them. But the Lord stood before him saying no one can curse my children. He warned him not to do so. Later everything turned out to be a blessing for the children of Israel.

 

God will never allow his children to be harmed. He protects them. He saved the life of Jacob from Laban. We read that Laban was not allowed to do any harm to him being warned of God.

 

Neither will the Lord allow anyone to curse his children.  But he will come down to bless them. No one has authority to do any evil to us without his permission. The Lord is always there to bless us.

 

 

6. TO WELCOME & HONOUR US

 

"...saw the glory of God and Jesus

standing on the right hand of God".

-          Acts 7:55  

 

The Lord comes many times near us to do his great works. As we read here, in the life of Stephen the Lord stood up in his kingdom to welcome his beloved son.

 

He is beside us to honour us. Jesus said, if any man serves me, him will my Father honor.