05282022 Access to God

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our Savior, who has shown Himself to be a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

A fifth category of God's blessing to His children is their access to Him. Rather than being remote and unapproachable, God makes Himself very available to His children and welcomes them to come near.

This access to God is evident by the fact that God hears them. He hears their prayers. He hears their cries for help. He hears the outpouring of their hearts. Whether they are sharing, worshipping, praying, appealing, or begging, God hears his children. “The LORD will hear when I call unto him” (Psalm 4:3). “The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer” (Psalm 6:9). “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications” (Psalm 116:1).

The believers’ access to God means they are able to come directly to Him. God does not hide His face from His children. They will be able to see Him. This will be true in its fullest demonstration in heaven, but there certainly is a sense of this even in the present. “His countenance doth behold the upright” (Psalm 11:7). “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness” (Psalm 17:15). “Neither hath he hid his face from him” (Psalm 22:24).

Believers have access to God because He makes Himself near to them. They never have to go far to find Him, because He is always there. “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of broken heart” (Psalm 34:18). “But it is good for me to draw near to God” (Psalm 73:28).

Believers are able to stand in the presence of God. This is true even though He is so holy and divine, and they are so weak and mortal. God accepts them as they come to Him. “Who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:3-4).

It isn't that God reluctantly allows His children to come near; He actually invites them to come. God desires to have a close relationship with His children, and He encourages them to seek Him. This is evidence that He freely and willingly offers access. “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek’” (Psalm 27:8).

This nearness to God never needs to end. “Nevertheless I am continually with thee” (Psalm 73:23). The context of this verse involves a psalmist who admits acting inappropriately, like a beast before God. In spite of this believer’s failure, God is still with him.

Any unbeliever who calls out for God's mercy in salvation will be received. God might choose to graciously answer other prayers or to reveal Himself to the wicked, but in general these people remain without access to God. Instead of enjoying the answered prayers, the nearness, the invitations, and the constant presence of God, unbelievers face rejection and removal. “Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross” (Psalm 119:118-119).

How wonderful that God does not hold us at arm’s length nor banish us to isolation. Instead of removing Himself from us or holding Himself aloof, God actively and willingly grants us access to Him and remains near to us even though we are imperfect and fail.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA