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A God So Near

For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon Him?
                                                              Deuteronomy 4:7
The LORD has chosen for Himself a people of His own. As a type and as a shadow of the full fruition, He redeemed Israel and brought them out of the land of slavery, out of Egypt. He has called them to be His own and revealed to them His name, the Name above all names, for them to call upon Him and be heard by Him. He chose them and took them for His own and had placed them above every nation. He had made Himself near to Israel.

And yet this was but a type and a shadow. The church as the LORD’s true people have been called out of—made holy unto the LORD—a far greater, much more enslaving bondage. We have been delivered from an oppressor that holds every human being captive and imprisoned: sin. And while the Jews cried out for help when the Egyptians oppressed them, we loved our chains way too much. We were willing slaves to sin. But the Lord took us out and changed our hearts, that we might call upon Him.

He has drawn Himself so much nearer to us, His people, Christ’s Bride. The greatest work that the Lord has done was not when He brought Israel to the Promise Land with a mighty hand, an outstretched arm, with great signs, trials, and wonders. But His greatest work was when He executed His eternal decree to save specific people by sending His Son to live and die, perfectly adhering to the law and God’s righteous requirements, while yet these people were in utmost rebellion and are as filthy rags before His sight.

He has made Himself near. He, by His salvation, has made His people great. What god is like Him, the LORD God of all? And would you not call upon Him, Christian?

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