Is God Near or Far? - Part II
Proverbs 1:7
Last Week: Genesis 28 - Jacob thought everything in his life had fallen apart. God appeared in his dream and told him, “I am with you.” God is not distant, He is near. We can rely on God when we feel alone. We know He is near. And this knowledge helps in our anxiety when facing the future. It helps us share our inner thoughts with Him as He knows us and can understand us. It helps us grow a close relationship with God.
But not only is He near, He is also far from us. We need to hold onto both truths. It doesn’t mean we cannot have an intimate relationship with God. It is not a distance of intimacy or physical distance, but a distance in our ranking and reigning. He is our King and are His servants. He is the potter, us the clay. God is the person and we are the shadow.
If we view Him as far, we can’t have a close relationship with Him. We see Him as near, we then think we liken to Him. We choose our will over His.
Question: Do you perceive/see God as near, or far, or both?
Book reference: perception can distort our relationship with God. Ie. Cat and dog. Dogs would think, “My master feeds me and cares for me. They must be a great person. I am thankful to them. I should be loyal and faithful to them.” Cats think, “Master cares for me, I must be so special. My master should give me more.”
Our relationship with God can be likened to these illustrations. We can develop outlooks that mirror the cat’s. To be catered to our every whims and desires. Then we can grow to be entitled and feel slighted when our wants are not met. So we feel distant to or distance towards God at these times. To avoid this mindset, we must remember both aspects of God. He is our king, Lord, creator. He is close and initiate to us, but it does not mean we can treat Him so casually. We must revere Him for His sovereignty.
Proverbs 1:7 - “beginning” = source; Knowledge = “sofia” in Greek meaning wisdom
So what doesn’t fearing mean? Is it terror? No, how can true love flourish with fear driving the relationship? Ie. Parental violence or other domestic violence in a relationship.
“Despise” - fear of God could be interpreted as the opposite of this. “To look down on with disrespect.” “To feel a strong dislike towards someone because you perceive them as bad or inferior”; “Buz” in Greek - contempt from an easy life. Looking down on someone based on one’s pride and sense of self.
Question: How can we apply the right attitude towards God? How can we garner the right relationship with Him?
1. Don’t take His love for granted but be thankful. Even though we don’t deserve it and constantly stumble. He doesn’t give up on us. His love is steadfast until the end. This love and grace is not something owed.
2. Don’t treat God carelessly or causally. Not according to our own feelings and emotions. Have a reverent heart for Him. Ie. Checking phones during service, or clipping nails during a sermon. If we truly fear God, we couldn’t even imagine that kind of attitude. Can you imagine being so comfortable with God and thus acting so casually? Ie. Quick prayer before eating a meal. In the past, they even knelt before meals. Let’s have a reverent heart for God in our every day. This applies to other relationships. We all have bad days, but that does not excuse treating others so casually with uninhibited emotions. Being close with someone doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want with them. Ie. Between spouses, children, siblings. Don’t treat others so carelessly and casually.
3. Let’s read and follow the Word of God. We should respond to Him with obedience. Claiming to love God and not following His Word doesn’t make sense. If you have found the light, you should follow it. When you love someone, you would listen to them carefully and heed what they convey with weight.
