The Nearness of God is my Good
Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
2 Chronicles 20:2-4 | ESV
A few days ago while my mother and I were visiting, she shared with me something my Great-Grandfather used to say, “You will know the true character of someone not by their actions, but by their reactions.” I never met Pop Glover but how I wish I could hug him for sharing such words of wisdom to my mom as a teenage girl. How we react reflects our character more accurately than our planned, premeditated, organized actions.
Some reactions do allot time enough to plan your next step, but I think Pop was mainly referring to the seconds after something happens — when there is no time to polish the raw response, whether the response is felt or on display. Character, true character, rests in those untouched, unaltered moments.
According to Britannica, the definition of “character” is: the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves. So you may be able to see someone’s true character in their reaction to a situation, but many times only the person knows the raw emotion and feelings that coursed through their heart when something (or someone) they couldn’t control has thrown them a curve ball.
I have been reading through the Old Testament for months now, following the stories from one king to the next who chose to do what was right in their own eyes rather than what would have been honoring to God. It’s truly saddening to read through these tragic, dark accounts of royal bloodlines until finally, like finding a vein of chocolate in an ice cream scoop, a story about a king journeys forth to center stage and they choose to do what is right in the eyes of God.
Jehoshaphat was one of those kings spoken of in 2 Chronicles and when he became afraid of the enemies rising up all around him he chose to…”set his face to seek the Lord…” He felt fear, but then he harnessed it and reacted by seeking God.
This is the meat of this week’s Reach for More…to simply encourage you to seek the Lord whether you are in the valley, surrounded by enemies, or if you are on the mountain top with a spectacular view. Seek Him for it is the nearness of God that is your good. This world is fallen, broken, dark — He is the only good and the goodness in your life comes from Him.
The kings in the Old Testament who understood this — their kingdoms prospered and the people felt peace. The kings who chose to seek first other things…maybe seeking God later…they and their kingdoms suffered.
King Asa of Judah was one who sought God and in the years of his rule where he chose to do what was right in God’s eyes, the land flourished and the people with it. But then one day King Asa begins receiving threats from King Baasha of Israel. How does King Asa respond? I wish I could say he chose to seek God…but sadly Asa calls upon the King of Aram for help. In that moment, God’s favor left King Asa who continued to seek after others for guidance and security. (2 Chronicles 16)
When trials come, do you seek God first in your life or do you call a friend?
When your body aches, do you seek God first or do you research the symptoms?
When the weight of financial burdens cause you to sweat, do you seek God first or do you panic?
When someone hurts you, do you seek God first or do you take matters into your own hands?
What if we made it our goal to simply seek God first?
How do you think your life would be impacted?
God makes it very clear in scripture, if we would simply seek Him and call upon His name, He will draw near.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:8 | ESV
And to makes matters even more simple…you don’t need to wait for pain or panic to call upon Him — He desires to be near you through whatever may come or whatever you are going through.
What does this look like?
When you’re happy — REJOICE with Him.
When you’re sad — CRY to Him.
When you’re unsure — ASK Him.
When you’re sure — LISTEN for Him.
When you’re scared — CALL upon Him.
When you’re brave — WALK with Him.
When you’re eager — WAIT for Him.
When you’re tired — REST in Him.
When you’re in need — PRAY to Him.
When you’re content — GIVE THANKS to Him.
When you’re weak — LEAN into Him.
When you’re strong — REMEMBER Him.
When you’re lost — SEEK Him.
When you’re found — REACH for Him.
At the end of the day…may you be the one calling upon your Father in Heaven.
When the waters rise…may you be the one ankle deep and praising Him still.
For though the waters rise and the winds come, our God, He is our Father and He is coming if we remember to call upon His name. And while His rescue is often very different than what we were expecting, it’s because He is working within deeper veins than our human eyes can see.
When I was a little girl, I remember the pain that would ensue after falling and skinning my knee. The moment I would see the red lines of blood begin to surface after gathering my bearings — all calm was tossed out the window! I would call for my parents and whoever reached me first would scoop me up and take me straight to the kitchen sink. My parents knew I was hurting…but they also knew that the wound must be cleaned and this process was sometimes more painful than the fall itself.
While the child just wants a bandaid to cover the blood on the skin, the parent knows true healing comes after tending what lies beneath the surface.
Our God has welcomed us in His family, He is our Father and we are His children. When trials come like skinned knees, we can call upon our beloved Dad and scripture says He will come. He will hold you — you may not recognize His presence if the tumultuousness of the trial at hand is taking over your senses — but He is there.
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 | NIV
“Be still, and know that I am God…”
Psalm 46:10 | NIV
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
Psalm 37:7 | NIV
Be still. That’s our job after we cry out to Him…we are to still ourselves and watch for His presence to fill the space. The evil of this world has done a good job of making it seem as if God is not there since we can’t see His face...don’t fall for that lie…
Your Creator didn’t just give you eyes to see…no He blessed your body with many senses so His presence can be known. I believe when scripture say’s to “be still” that doesn’t mean simply sit still for a certain amount of time but rather to still what we see, what we hear, what we taste, feel, and even smell. In order for us to sense when His presence has entered the room, we need to still our senses.
Recently I was having a hard time processing a trial, and as I sat looking out the window I realized the crisp, clear view of the trees blowing in the breeze was actually causing a quiet distraction in my attempt to “be still.” So I removed my glasses and the once crisp, clear leaves on the trees faded into a blurry whirl of colors. In an instant my body and soul stilled enough to feel His presence enter the room, and with Him, His perfect peace. Did God scoop me up and carry me away from my trial at hand? No…but He stayed with me and wrapped me in peaceful assurance.
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
2 Chronicles 16:9 | NIV
While King Asa chose to call upon neighboring kingdoms in his later years, King Jehoshaphat chose to reach for the Father and when he did, his entire kingdom followed in his footsteps. I would love to encourage you to pause reading here and open your Bible to 2 Chronicles 20 to read the words prayed by a king to the only God able to save him.
After the people called upon God in prayer, they began to praise Him. They praised before they even knew what “rescue” would look like if God chose to rescue them at all. And while they praised God, He defeated their enemies.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17 | NIV
God is unchanging as are His ways. So call upon Him, be still, remember who He is and trust Him with what comes next be it rescue or deep cleansing. God will hold you like the good Father that He is while He dresses the wounds in lasting ways.
Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
Psalm 116:7-9 | NIV
