Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Transcendent, Personal God

Jer 23:23 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? 24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

Deism was all the rage a couple of hundred years ago. Many of America's
founding fathers are accused of being Deists, but I am not convinced.

A Deist is one who believes that God created the universe and then
abandoned it. He would think that God is not at all involved in personal
affairs.

But we are assured here in the Word that our God is one who is always near
and never afar off. He knows our situation and is interested in the affairs of
men. When Israel was enslaved in Egypt of old, the Lord said to Moses that
He saw their affliction, heard their cries and is come down to deliver them.

All that to say that the mighty Creator of the universe cares for you in your
most intimate struggles.

Frank Graeff wrote it this way:

1. Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?

* Refrain:
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

2. Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

3. Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?

4. Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
* Refrain:
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

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