There is an old belief, a false belief, called deism, which teaches that God created the universe and man, then abandoned them for some other distant project. Many people today feel and act as if God were millions of miles away. This type of reasoning prevents man from having a right relationship with God. The Bible says He is not far from everyone of us. How near is the Lord?

1. He is near enough to see us. "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3). "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight" (Hebrews 4:13). God sees and knows everything about us.

2. He is near enough to hear us. "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers" (1 Peter 3:12). Isn't it wonderful that we can talk to the Lord anywhere at anytime? "Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live" (Psalm 116:2).

3. He is near enough to be sympathetic to all our needs. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16).

4. He is near enough to walk with us "through the valley of the shadow of death." When Stephen was put to death the Lord was near enough for Stephen to see Him and to speak to Him. "Lord Jesus receive my spirit" (Acts 7:56-60).

5. The Lord is nearer to us than any person on earth. If we belong to Him, He has promised "... never to leave us nor forsake us" (Hebrews 13:5). "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27).