Near to the Heart of God

There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God
A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God 

There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God
A place where we our Savior meet, near to the heart of God 

There is a place of full release, near to the heart of God
A place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God

                                                                                                                                                  Cleland McAfee

There have been times in my life when I have found that place; when I have been able to abide in His presence and find rest and peace and comfort and joy.  There have been times in my life when I have felt what the hymn writer has expressed.  Times when I have felt ‘near to the heart of God’; when I have known what is feel like I’m being held close by God;  to experience His support and divine encouragement.
 
We were created for such experiences.  There is something within all of us, even the strongest and proudest among us that longs to dwell in the presence of the Father.  In His Word God makes this incredible promise to us, Come near to God and he will come near to you.  (James 4:8)
 
God’s invitation to us has always been to come. That the God of the universe would say to you and to me, ‘come’, to be invited into His presence is almost beyond our comprehension.  But He does invite us and promises as we come toward Him, He will in turn come to us; to reveal Himself to us that we might experience what it is to know Him and to know His love and mercy, grace and kindness; to find in Him that place of comfort and rest and peace and joy.
 
God says we come into a relationship with Him through the miracle of grace; because Jesus has opened a way for us to be reconciled to the Father.  When we enter into such a relationship He then invites us to walk together with Him all the days of our life; through all of the ups and downs of life, through all our joys and sorrows.  And when our life comes to an end on earth, He will take us by the and we’ll walk with Him to a home He has prepared for us in heaven. 
 
It’s pretty amazing!  And some of us have known this kind of relationship with the Father.  Some may wonder if such a relationship is really is possible, but something deep within tells us speaks to our hearts and tells us it is not only possible but that we were made created to be in such a relationship.  For in living near to the heart of God, we discover what it is to have a confident faith; the kind of faith that will carry us through all our days here on earth and beyond this life to life eternal, a home in heaven with Him forever.
 
Today, God says to you…come near to Me and I will come near to you.  I just need to ask, how are you going to respond?  I want to encourage you to accept His invitation and just come.  Come with a humble spirit; come with a sincere heart and He will reveal Himself to you.  Come no matter where you are in your spiritual journey.  Come with your doubts and fears; with your heartaches and sorrows—just come, and find Him rest for your soul.
 
Some of you have longed to find such rest, rest for a troubled heart; it has eluded for too many years; this is your time to come. Come and rest in His presence. Come and bask in his love. Come to receive from Him mercy and grace.  My friends at Valley…come!