CLOSER TO THEE
Psalm 145:18-21
Introduction: It should be the aim of everyone who is named a child of God to be as close to God as he or she can be. As a matter of fact, God wants us to be and encourages us to be. “When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed" (Jer. 29:13-14 The Bible in Contemporary Language). If we are not close to God, we need to get serious about getting close to God.
I. You are as close to God as you chose to be
A. This is a maxim concerning relationships: You decide who you allow in your circle of trust and endearment
B. Whether we allow the Lord to come in or stay our, again is our choice (Rev. 3:20-21)
C.
A close relationship with God does not come by
accident, it must be sought (Isa. 55:6)
and God helps to make this possible because He wants a closer relationship with
us (Acts
D. We must be determined to be close to God as Paul was so determined to be
1. See Philippians 3:7-10
a. Everything in life was nothing in comparison with a relationship with the Lord (v.7-8)
b. He was determined to have a relationship with the Lord, not on his terms, but the Lord’s (v. 9)
c. He wanted to know him fully and share in him and be like him (v. 10)
2. [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power out flowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body] (10-11 AMP).
II. The closer we get to God, the closer he gets to us (James 4:8)
A. As we move toward God, he will come to us in a great way (Hos. 6:1-3)
B.
Consider the Father in the prodigal son (Luke
C. Again, we determine how close God gets to us (Zec. 1:3)
D. Consider this point as exemplified in the life of Asa (2 Chr. 15:1-5)
III. When God is close to us, nothing but good can come of it (Psa. 73:28a)
A. Those that are far from God will perish (Psa. 73:27)
B. Those who are near to the Lord shall dwell in His house (Psa. 65:4)
1. See Psalm 84:10
2. We can inquire of him (Psa 27:4)
C. As we are close with the Lord, He will guide us to that home in glory (Psa. 73:23-24)
Conclusion: Read Psalm 145:18-20. To get closer to the Lord read
Hebrews 10:22-25.