ENGAGING THE FAR AWAY GOD

This week at Resonate, we were blessed by guest Pastor James Hensley, who preached on a very important topic – How do we engage with God, even when He feels far away?

This topic is inspired by Jeremiah 23:23-24, where we find a conversation between God and the prophet Jeremiah that explores this concept. God asks, “Am I only a God nearby and not a God far away?” This question prompts us to delve deeper into understanding the different aspects of God’s presence in our lives.

Through our experiences, we know it can be easier to go to God only when we need something. But while God wants to bless us, He also wants to invite us into a real relationship with Him. To get to know Him when He is both near and far.

The Presence of God

Let’s be clear, God’s presence is omni-present, which means He is always with us. He is the God who is near, offering His help and guidance in every moment of our lives. We can experience His presence as a very active lifeline in times of need, finding comfort in His closeness. However, there is also another side to God’s presence that we often overlook – the aspect of Him being far away. This concept can be confusing and even discouraging, but it’s actually an invitation to know Him in a greater capacity. Some of the most important people in the Bible engaged with God both near and far.

During His time on Earth, Jesus recognized the importance of withdrawing from the crowd and seeking the far away God. He knew the God who was near, as the Holy Spirit worked miracles through Him. But Jesus also understood the value of encountering the God who was far away. He would frequently retreat to find and commune with Him.

Moses also sought the far away God. In Exodus 33, God invites Moses to enter the Promised Land. Moses responds by saying that if God’s presence doesn’t go with them, he doesn’t want to go. He understood that without the far away God, they would be no different than others on Earth. Moses wanted his people to be separate from others, and desired the presence of God to accompany them.

Still confused at the difference between the near and far aspects of God? Here’s the snapshot: The near God represents the aspect of inviting Him into our lives – the God who saves, helps, forgives, and provides for us. We seek His intervention and presence in our daily struggles and challenges. Conversely, the far away God invites us to enter into His life. See the difference?

It goes beyond God fitting into what we want – it’s about surrendering ourselves to fit into what He desires. It’s about choosing His ways, His truth, and His commands. When we actively seek a far away God, we truly encounter the abundance of life and the promised reward described in Hebrews 11:6.

When we experience the presence of the far away God, we can’t help but be transformed. It wrecks us in the best possible way, making it impossible to go back to our old ways.

Here are 5 ways we can engage with the far away God:

1.       Intentionally Seeking

God’s presence is available to everyone, so why is it that not everyone finds Him? Jeremiah 29:12-14 reminds us that we will find God when we seek Him with all our heart. We must be intentional in our pursuit of Him, drawing near through prayer, worship, and seeking His guidance through the Word. Just as the early disciples waited in Jerusalem to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we too must be willing to seek the far away God even when it’s not convenient or comfortable.

2.       Living Sacrificially

In the Old Testament, God’s presence fell on burnt sacrifices. In the New Testament, we are called in Romans 12:1 to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. Thankfully, this new form of sacrifice doesn’t involve burning offerings – and it’s more important. Our entire lives should be an act of worship, surrendering everything to God. When we lay down our lives and choose His ways over ours, we draw the presence of the far away God into our lives.

3.       Passionately Praising

As Christians, we can fall into dangerous habits of familiarity. God is our friend, but we still need to treat Him with reverence through the form of passionate praise. King David realized the importance of keeping God’s presence holy and sacred, and learned that passionate praise draws the far away God closer. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God is enthroned in the praises of His people. When we passionately worship and praise Him, we invite His presence into our midst.

4.       Actively Resting

While passionate praise and pursuit of God are vital, there are also times when we need to be still and rest in our presence. Psalm 23 beautifully illustrates how God leads us to green pastures. Isaiah 40:31 encourages us to wait upon the Lord and renew our strength. Life is increasingly busy and stressful, but it’s important to reset. We must intentionally curve out those moments to be still, to quiet our hearts and minds, and to spend time in His presence. It’s in these moments of active rest that we can experience His peace and receive fresh strength even in the toughest of times.

5.       Practically Practicing

To engage the far away God, we must first encounter the near God. As Christians, we are called to be familiar with the Holy Spirit, and practice His presence in our daily lives. Practice implies intentionally moving towards Him, not waiting for Him to meet us. We need to be aware that God is always with us, but we need to open ourselves up to actively inviting God into every situation in our lives.

By seeking the far away God, we will discover a deeper connection with Him, finding purpose and experience the abundance of life in His presence. Don’t settle for a distant relationship, but press on to engage the far away God with all our heart, mind, and soul.

Make sure to check out the full message below!