CLOSURE WITH GOD, OR CLOSER TO GOD –

Almost every pilgrim that finally made it up to the Holy City and had the privilege of standing in the presence of God Almighty to worship Him and praise Him, knew that they were the few among many. They had to overcome many obstacles to get there and only the brave-at-heart made it. So the compilers of the Psalter chose one of David’s psalms for them to sing that offered comfort and encouragement to tired and weary pilgrims. David experienced what it was like to be on a mission and run into opposition from those who did not understand God’s will and purpose for his life. But David knew that all he needed to do for God to bring him victory was to stick with what was true.

“I promise this one thing to You, O LORD Eternal: I will always acknowledge and accept You as my only Sovereign God. That’s why I’m asking You now, O LORD Eternal, to please pay attention to the words in my plea to You for help. I’m asking You, O LORD my God, my Divine Master; the One whose power brought my deliverance; the One who once protected me from being wounded in the heat of battle; please do not grant the evil-minded their wishes; O LORD Eternal, do not make it easy for their evil plans to succeed; it will only increase the pride they have in themselves. Likewise, never let those who attack other people’s character gain a foothold in our nation. Instead, let their harmful attacks end up leading to their own downfall. I believe the LORD Eternal will stand by those unable to help themselves, and get justice for those unable to fight back. I’m convinced, those who live right always trust in You for who You are; yes, the right-at-heart will always stay in harmony with Your will. Psalm 140:6-8, 11-13

Reflection: At the graveside service for assassinated U.S. President James A. Garfield, on Monday, September 19, 1881, a beautiful hymn was played. Then on Friday afternoon, September 13, 1901, assassinated U.S. President William McKinley made the lyrics of the same hymn his dying words. And again, as the great ship Titanic was sinking into the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean on Monday, April 15, 1912, the ship’s orchestra played this hymn up to the bitter end. What hymn was it? The one whose lyrics go as follows: “Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me, still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee.” It just so happened that British poet Sarah F. Adams, an aspiring actress whose bout with tuberculosis cut short her budding career, was being visited by her pastor one afternoon, and he mentioned that he was having difficulty finding a hymn to go along with his sermon on Jacob’s of a ladder reaching into heaven that coming Sunday. So Sarah volunteered to write the lyrics, for which her sister Eliza would write the music. She penned these words at the age of 36, and seven years later she would die from her illness. In this hymn she expressed the same desire that was in Jacob’s heart. Could it be that David was thinking along the same lines when he wrote this psalm? All of them not only wanted to be in harmony with God’s will, but in accord with His ways as much as possible. That is a lofty goal for any believer to set, and one that must really be yearned for if there is any hope of attaining it. It has been proven that a person does not solve their problems, or find solutions to their difficulties by trying to run from God’s will, but by embracing it with all their heart and soul. Presidents Garfield and McKinley, as well as Miss Adams, the patriarch Jacob, and King David, believed with all their heart and soul that if they embraced God’s will He would embrace them. The psalm of David just before this one, points out clearly that it’s impossible to run from God or escape from His presence. Therefore, since it is not possible to run from God, what is it that people are fleeing from? Fact is, they are running from His truth, His will, His purpose and His destiny for their lives! No wonder people who live outside God’s will feel so forsaken and lost. No wonder they look everywhere to find some beacon of light to guide their lives and give them meaning and a reason for living. King David had no such illusion, he knew where to look, and he was not about to let anyone mislead him or discourage him from applying the truth of God’s word to his life.