But you are near, O LORD,
and all your commandments are true.
Psalms 119:151(ESV)
The Psalmist knows that Yahweh (LORD) is near, yet he did not have God’s Spirit indwelling him, nor was he united with Christ, the incarnation of the Son. So how much more is it true for us that God is near? He is inside us, nearer than any human could be. “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV). “By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit” (1 John 4:13, ESV).
What are the benefits of God being inside us? It means that we are united to him and that he is in on our side. He is aware of everything in our lives and guides us into his blessings. Regardless of what we feel, he is our friend, working in us and for us. Regardless of our trials, he encourages us and brings good out of suffering. Moreover, he promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV). Many believers exert a lot of effort trying to feel God’s presence, but he lives inside us and he wants us to trust that he is there whether we feel him or not. Faith is the door to abiding in his presence. He will always be with us so we will always be the recipients of his love and goodness. This is our peace and joy.
