So Near, Whenever We Call

​“For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on Him?” Deuteronomy 4:7

Moses, knowing that he would not enter the Promised Land, continuously urged the Israelites to obey and remain loyal to the Lord. He persistently compared the dangers of idolatry to the rewards and blessings of following after the one true God. He emphasized the blessing of God being so near whenever they called. This was to say that no other nation’s god would and could do what the Lord could and would do for His people.

Other nations had gods that were statues, distant, and man-made, but God was close, ready and able to hear and answer when they called. In the eyes of other nations, this made Israel great. Israel’s God was alive and well and powerful. The nearness of God also revealed an affectionate God who desired to be close to His people and to have a relationship with them. If Israel were to follow after other gods, they would be refusing a great and awesome relationship that no other nation that served pagan gods would ever experience. God was near to the children of Israel because He loved them and He desired and chose to be near to them. No other god could or would be able to have the same type of affection, as the one true God of Israel. Moses did not want the Israelites to take this love for granted. He did not want them to dishonor the Lord in any way. He urged them to acknowledge the great relationship that the Lord desired to have exclusively with them, so that they recognized what they had and to not turn away from the Lord.

As you read this passage, remember that the Lord is not just near to His children, but He is so near whenever we call. Think about the great privilege of having a loving, holy, heavenly Father that is longing to remain in relationship with you. Do not be lured away from Him or turn to the emptiness that disobedience offers. Recognize and acknowledge that the children of God are beyond blessed to experience this type of love and affection. Your heavenly Father is so near whenever you call, so purpose in your heart to remain so near to Him and continue to call on Him and remain devoted to Him alone.