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Bible Readings: John 1:1-14; Psalm 34:1-14

I will extol the Lord at all times;
    his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
    let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.    (Psalm 34:1-8)

 

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.  (John 1:9)

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There is a closeness to God that is described in Psalm 34 that we may not think possible before Jesus came into our world as one of us: 


“I sought the Lord, and he answered me”

“he delivered me from all my fears”

“Those who look to him are radiant”

“The poor man called, and the Lord answered him”

“he saved him from all his troubles”

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him”

“blessed is the one who takes refuge in him”

God has always longed to be close to his people.  Certainly in creation before the fall, but even following that fateful choice, God demonstrated a desire to dwell among his people.  He even had a house built among his people – complete with a lamp, table, seat, and wash basin!  And yet God had an even closer relationship in mind.  

When Jesus, the true light, entered our world he made it possible for us to know God in a way that is not possible otherwise.

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.  (John 1:12-13)

When we come to know Jesus…we come to know God.   

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14)  

"At Trafalgar Square in the city of London stands a statue of Lord Nelson. Resting atop a tall pillar, it towers too high for passersby to distinguish his features. For this reason, about forty years ago a new statue – an exact replica of the original – was erected at eye level so everyone could see him. God also transcends our ability to see; the eyes of our understanding cannot discern divine features. But we have set before us an exact representation, “the image of the invisible God.” To know God we must look only at Jesus.”    (Donald McCullough)

On this journey of grace, God not only goes with us, but he actually takes up residence, dwells within our hearts!  This is the kind of relationship that God invites us into through Jesus Christ.  

Are you able to find time each day to simply enjoy that presence of God?  

  • Read the scriptures
  • Spend time in quiet prayer 
  • Turn from sin in your life and seek his righteousness
  • Listen to some worship music
  • Journal a testimony of praise

God longs to be close to you.  Will you draw close to Him?