Song Numbers

The Divine Nearness Phil. 4:4-7

Phil. 4:4-7 [4] Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. [5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I. “The Lord is at hand” - What it means The Lord is at hand = May refer to the nearness of His second coming or the Lord’s nearness to his children We should not think of God as being far away

A poet wrote – “Closer is he than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.”

Acts 17:27-28 [27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: [28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

II. “The Lord is at hand” - How precious it is

God who loves us is within reach

1. He sees us Proverbs 15:3 [3] The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Heb. 4:13 [13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

2. He speaks to us Through nature – All nature declares His existence and His glory Ps. 19:1 [1] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Through the Bible God’s plan for our lives is revealed in the Scriptures

Rom. 10:8 [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

3. He listens when we speak Ps. 116:1-2 [1] I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. [2] Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

Mt. 7:7-11 [7] Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

[9] Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? [10] Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

[11] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

4. He helps us Ps. 46:1 [1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Ps. 55:22 [22] Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Heb. 4:15-16 [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

5. In every worthy work he will support & sustain us Mt. 28:18 [18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Heb. 13:5-6 [5] Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. [6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

III. “The Lord is at hand” – how should we live?

1. With great joy Phil. 4:4 [4] Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Hab. 3:17-18 [17] Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: [18] Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

2. In gentleness Phil. 4:5 [5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. Moderation = ASV has “forbearance”; NKJV has “gentleness”

We must treat all men with gentleness – brethren, enemies, the unconverted, the wayward, etc.

3. Above anxiety – “Be anxious for nothing” – 4:6 Mt. 6:25 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

1 Tim. 6:8 [8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. “If the Father is near, why would the child be over-anxious?”

4. In communion Phil. 4:6 [6] Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

We must not remain silent when One so dear is near We need to commune with God in prayer “Anxiety should be turned into prayer. By conversing with him. We find relief.’

Conclusion The marvelous consequences of such a life is seen in verse 7 Phil. 4:7 [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Believe in God Believe in God’s nearness Walk with Him Talk with Him (prayer) Then, the peace of God which passes all comprehension will guard you!

Adapted from material by Frank L. Cox