“Near to God” -- Psalm 73:21-28

There are times I think we’ve all had. It’s those times when we feel distant from God.

It can be a time when we’ve allowed ourselves to become more entangled in the ways of the world by allowing ourselves to be influenced by friends who don’t walk with God. It may be a time when we were going through a rough spell and we chose to express our anger or disappointment or both toward God by distancing ourselves from Him. It may be nothing more than just living out each day, allowing ourselves to become shaped by our circumstances and everyday occurrences.

It’s in those times when we feel alienated from God that we need to be aware that the sense of alienation is the work of the Holy Spirit letting us know we need to draw near to Him. Those times when we sense a need to pray, a need to worship, a need to listen—that’s God calling to us, wanting to bring us close to Him.

And it’s when we come close to God that we find ourselves filled with peace, joy and assurances. We are reminded how God keeps His promises, how He keeps His watch over us and how He guides us through each day and every circumstance. It’s when we are closer to God that we remember why we need Him in our lives each day. It’s that nearness that leads us closer to living out the holy life He calls us to and leads us in.

Background

Today’s passage is entitled, “A psalm of Asaph.” Asaph was one of the leaders of the Temple choir, a descendant of Levi and chosen by God to assist in worship. Some commentators have consider the psalms written by Asaph to be some of the finest theological writings in the Psalms.

In this particular psalm, the writer makes a clear declarative statement in the first verse: “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.” It is a lesson that is strengthened by what comes in the remainder of the psalm.

The next verse speaks of a time when the writer’s faith wavered, when he was tempted to follow another path. He tells us in the third verse was his temptation was—“For I envied the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

It’s not unusual to look around and see people we know who seem to have it better than we do. They’re houses are nicer, their cars are newer, they wear the latest fashions. We see on social media all the wonderful places they travel to (and it seems that they travel a lot; far more than we are able to). These people seem to be breezing through life, while you and I struggle for everything we have.

Looking at how the psalmist describes the wicked—no struggles, healthy and strong, free from the burdens common to most—we see why envy might rise in Asaph’s heart. But then he begins to describe the hearts of such people, and we see a far less pretty picture.

He calls them arrogant and haughty, callous from iniquity. They’re cynical, scoffing with malice, oppressive and braggadocios. Such people are arrogant and flippant in their relationship with God.

In comparison, the psalmist looks at his life and wanders what the purpose is. “Surely in vain I kept my heart pure; in vain I washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning” (vs. 13-14). He seems to be saying that all he gets from seeking after God is suffering and pain.

And yet, that relationship with God is what saves him. He states, “If I had said, ‘I will speak thus,’ I would have betrayed Your children. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered in the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny” (vs. 16-17).

This turning point comes as the psalmist returns to God and draws near to Him. As he comes back into the presence of the Lord, he can see clearly that the temporary success of the wicked will ultimately lead to their destruction. The psalmist realizes that God is in control. Verses 18-20 speaks of God’s plans for the wicked and how God’s actions will lead to their eventual judgment and destruction.

What follows in the remainder of the psalm is the focus of our message today, because in these verses we discover what it truly means to draw near to God. We find what comes from living a holy life.

Central Truth: Being holy means we draw near to God.

Being near to God:

1. Brings security and guidance (21-24)

“When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You. Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory.”

Looking back can often give us insights into the mistakes we’ve made in the past and what steps we should take to make sure we don’t make the same mistake twice. Maybe we learn to use different words, or to speak with a different tone of voice. Maybe we learn to look both ways or to give when we tried to take. Looking at our past can make our future better.

The psalmist gives a very good idea of what was going on in his mind when he writes the word we see in v. 21.

Granted, we make look at his description and think he was being a little hard on himself, but it is probably an accurate view of himself in his guilt and sorrow. It’s not unusual when we turn back to God to realize how horribly wrong we were and how foolish we had been.

Having given that description of himself, though, the writer then tells us why drawing close to God is always to our benefit. There are so many things he realizes as he stands in the presence of God.

God’s presence is always with us. We know this from Jesus’ words at the end of the Great Commission, and we know that God does not abandon His children just because we sin. We need to confess our sins, because it’s only when you and I can come to the awareness of our wrongdoing that we can begin the healing that comes from the Father.

Not only is God always with us, but He is guiding us. The writer uses two examples of God’s guidance. First, He takes us by the hand and leads us, as a parent with a small child. Second, He gives us counsel that leads us on the proper course. He does this through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and through the message of the Bible.

The reason God doesn’t abandon us and leave us on our own is because God is a loving, caring God. He gave His Only Son to bring us into fellowship with Him, reconciling us to Him through the blood of Christ. God leads His people for His glory and to prepare us for our eternal life with Him.

We come near to God for guidance and security.

2. Strengthens us (25-26)

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth is nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

When we consider the psalmist’s temptation that he describes in the first part of the psalm, drawing near to God reminds him of what’s really important. He envied the wicked because they seemed to have it all, but now he realizes what is really important.

Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount also speaks to this truth. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). When we store up for ourselves treasures in heaven, then the things of this world pale in comparison.

Drawing near to God reminds us where our true treasures are. There is no one like God, no one who can gives us guidance and security, and who can be our strength. “Whom have I in heaven but You?”

For as long as my children have been old enough to understand, I’ve told them I’m going to live to be 120 years old, dying on my half birthday in 2076. My reason is that I wanted to celebrate the nation’s tricentenial. Lately, I’ve added another reason.

No one expects me to live to be 120. Not even me. The truth of the matter is that everyone’s body eventually gives up and dies. Our hearts fail, our flesh weakens. But just because our bodies come to an end does not mean that we come to an end. For those who are in Christ, there is the assurance that eternal life is our guarantee. God is the strength of our heart. Not only does He give us eternity, but He also gives us the courage of heart when our hearts grow faint.

When we draw close to God, we find strength and courage. We have peace.

3. Provides refuge (27-28)

“Those who are far from You will perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. I will tell of all Your deeds.”

The writer sums up his observation with a recognition of what awaits the lost and the saved.

Earlier, he had written, “They say, ‘How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?’” (v. 11). David wrote in Psalm 53:1, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Hebrew thought was that wisdom came from a personal awareness of God. The emphasis was in experiencing God on a personal level. Only those who are apart from God can question His existence and the impact He can have on our lives.

When we exclude God from our lives, the consequence is that He rejects us personally. Despite His best efforts to bring us into fellowship with Him through Jesus Christ, despite the love of God leading Him to want to save everyone, He will ultimately give us our heart’s desire. For those who do not know Him, God will, in the final analysis say, “Depart from Me; I never knew you” (cf. Matthew 7:23).

Think of what it was like this past February. Many of us were without heat or lights as the temperatures plummeted to close to record lows across our area. We might be shivering in our homes, under blankets and several layers of clothes. Can you imagine what it might have felt like if we were all suddenly forced to spend that freezing cold outside? Even though our houses were cold and dark, there was still some protection from the elements. We were spared the freezing precipitation and the wind chill. Sure, it was not pleasant inside, but it was better than being outside with no shelter.

There are those who think they don’t need God in their lives. One day, they will come to the realization what God’s presence meant for them even though they never acknowledged Him. Just as our houses protected us from the worst parts of the storm, so does the presence of God make life on earth more bearable. An eternity apart from God’s presence will make even the most miserable existence on earth seem like paradise in comparison. God’s judgment will come, and it will be final.

In contrast, we find refuge in God. He is our shelter, our source of good, our guide and counselor. He is our Savior and our guarantor of all His promises being fulfilled. We find comfort, peace and restoration within His presence.

As a result, we should want to share the truth of His salvation to those around us. The writer reaches that conclusion: “I will tell of all Your deeds.” That must be a part of what we are about, as we seek to live holy lives.

We draw near to God and find refuge.

Conclusion

James tells us, “Come near to God and He will come near to You” (James 4:8a). Jesus offers the invitation to those who are weak and heavy-laden to come near to Him and we will find rest (cf. Matthew 11:28-30). There are any number of invitations from God to us throughout the Bible to come close to Him. He makes it possible through His Son and through the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Father is always with us. When there is distance between it, it isn’t Him who has moved away.

“Come near to God and He will come near to you.”