The Biblical Illustrator
Psalms 148:14
A people near unto Him.
Believers near to God
I. The position of the people near to God, or the relationship indicated by nearness.
1. A legal nearness. “Made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
2. A covenant relationship. A solemn mutual pledge, sealed at the Cross.
3. A filial relationship. Not more certainly will affection be felt in the heart of both parent and child among the families of men than in the “Abba Father” of the believing soul, and the tender pity of God’s gracious bosom.
4. A mystical union between Christ and the soul. All His becomes yours, and yours becomes His.
5. Partakers of the Divine nature.
II. The privileges of the people near to God. What shall we say to that protection which this nearness ensures to your soul, seeing that the place of your defence shall be the munitions of rocks, that your bread shall be given you, and your water shall be sure? Jehovah is like a wall of fire about His people. What shall we say of that provision made for you in this wilderness, where every possible want of the body and the soul meets its full and perpetual supply in the riches of Divine goodness, which are all pledged to you by the love and faithfulness of your covenant God? What shall we say of the promises “exceeding great and precious,” made to all collectively, and to one by one personally. What shall we say of providences, all arranged by wisdom which never errs, and love which never fails, and controlled by power that is never weary, so as most effectually to promote the salvation of your souls?
III. The transforming efficacy of this nearness to God. See how it will and must operate from principles necessarily at work.
1. There is the solemnity of your position. If God’s nearness be fairly and fully recognized, if He be seen as He is, and you seen as you are, in the light of His purity, will you, can you, dare you be contented to remain in the corruption of nature?
2. There is admiration of God’s character. Let His character be seen and felt as revealed in the way of pardoning sin by the Cross in infinite power and wisdom, holiness and truth, all displayed in sweet harmony and ineffable glory, while mercy casts her bright radiance over them all to assure the trembling sinner, and constrain him to draw nigh; then can you see all thee perfections engaged on the side of the sinner, engaged to sanctify and save his soul, and feel not a lofty admiration of the beauty of the Lord?
3. But admiration begets desire. If we feel admiration for any person, do we not wish to make him a friend? The moment that admiration of anything ceases, desire to have and enjoy it ceases too. But the beauty of the Lord is manifested to your faith just that you may feel the kindlings of desire to be His, and to be like Him in His loveliness.
4. But surely the soul that has such desires will frequently, solemnly, and closely commune with this infinitely lovely and blessed God. Such communion gives a consciousness of the reality of Divine things, and is fitted to stir you up and spur you on in the effort to become like your God. It thus necessarily leads to--
5. Imitation. This is the end of the process, imitation of “God manifest in the flesh.” His Word will make you wise. His truth will render you truthful. His justice will move you to rectitude. His sovereignty will make and keep you lowly. His purity will lead you to holiness of heart. His mercy and pity will make you tender, and loving, and gentle. (John Walker.)
Nearness to God
I. In what respects true believers are near to God.
1. The awful breach is healed, and they are reconciled. The separating wall of sin is broken down, and they have boldness and access with confidence to Him who would otherwise be a consuming fire.
2. The power of sin is subdued, and they are near as to union and likeness. Nearness, as to the former, is by the blood of Christ: the latter is by the influences of the Holy Spirit.
3. They are near as to communion and fellowship. Jacob had his Bethel, David his hill Mizar, and Paul, though sometimes pressed out of measure, had also his raptures in the third heavens (Isaiah 12:1).
4. They are near to Him in a way of endearment, being precious in His sight. They are near to His heart, and to His eye, and His ear is open to their complaints.
5. They are so near to Him that they will soon be with Him--at home, and at rest. Faith gives you an interest in the Divine favour, and death will bring you to the full enjoyment of it. Your warfare shall be accomplished, and the victory complete.
II. The reasons why this nearness is matter of exultation and joy.
1. This nearness is lasting: those who are thus brought near to God shall be for ever near.
2. Those who are near to God have God also near to them. He will guide, protect, and comfort His people amidst all their difficulties and dangers.
3. They have blessings and privileges which none else can enjoy. They may hear from Him, and He from them; may contemplate His glorious majesty, and commune with Him, as it were, face to face.
4. Being near to God, they are also near to heaven. Improvement--
(1) How vain are all our hopes of happiness without God (Psalms 73:27).
(2) Let us be reconciled to those providences which tend to bring us near. The severest trials are often among the means which God employs to bring us to Himself.
(3) Let nearness to God be the object sought after in every holy duty, both public and private. We may as well be in Geshur as at Jerusalem, unless we see the King’s face.
(4) Not only let us desire to be brought near in a way of interest, but to keep near in a way of communion. This will soften afflictions, heighten our mercies, fortify us against the fear of death, and be our best preparative for heaven.
(5) If the Lord’s people be near and dear to Him, let them be so to us. (B. Beddome, M. A.)
The privilege of dwelling near to God
Communion with Christ is the happiest life. If you gained all the world, and did not lose your soul, but only lost the light of Christ’s countenance for a few days, you would make a poor bargain. There is heaven in every glance of His eye. There is infinite joy in every word of His mouth when He speaks comfortably to His servants. Go not away from Him. Be like Milton’s angel, who lived in the sun. Abide in Christ, and let His words abide in you. Closer, closer, closer, this is the way to spiritual wealth. To follow afar off, and live at a distance from Christ, even if it does not make your soul to perish, yet it will wither up your joys, and make you feel an unhappy man, an unhappy woman. (C. H. Spurgeon.).