Have you ever felt that the Lord was distant? Maybe you felt that your prayers were going unanswered. Perhaps your soul feels dry. When facing these moments, we must be reminded of this very important truth—“The Lord is near”(Philippians 4:5).
These were the words the Apostle Paul spoke to the people of God in Philippi in the First Century. Paul was writing from prison to a church under the constant threat of persecution, and sandwiched between his admonitions to rejoice, not to worry, and to be gracious with everyone is his reminder that the Lord is near. Why is it so important for us to keep this in mind?
Before I answer that question, I want to investigate the meaning of that short phrase. The word “near” can refer to both time and space, so there are two basic possibilities for meaning. The timing option refers to the Lord’s return. Romans 13:11, using the same Greek word, says, “For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”
The other option speaks to space. The Bible is full of statements that remind us that the Lord is close to His people. From the earliest days of God leading the Israelites out of captivity, the Lord assured them of His presence by the fire and cloud. He would later fill the temple with a physical representation of His glory. But, on a more personal level, He assures us in Scripture that He “is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
So, which is it? I think the Spirit was intentionally vague as He guided Paul in the writing of this letter that would become part of God’s eternal word to us. I think it’s both. He was assuring those Philippian believers that their time of suffering and confusion was temporary. His return was near, and when He comes, He will make all things right. Likewise, God is near with His presence. He sees what you’re going through, and He’s not unmoved by your pain.
What challenges are you facing now? Do you feel insecure or threatened by life’s difficulties? Do you feel like the gates of hell have been opened, and you are under attack? If so, grab ahold of this reality today, and don’t let go of it. The Lord is near!
