Over these past months, the phrase ‘social distancing’ has entered our vocabulary and perhaps, it means different things to different people. For my wife Jean and me, the practical outworking of those words is that we have rarely seen nor been able to give our children a hug, or cuddle our three lovely grandchildren for 14 weeks. Perhaps you have a similar story with similar feelings?
We have recently heard the good news that the ‘lockdown’ restrictions are gradually being eased and that more visits of family and friends, within certain strict rules, are now being permitted, together with the opening of more shops etc. Maybe, for the first time in weeks, you have been able to spend quality time with those close to you. Or you are anticipating that pleasure ... what joy ~ what happiness!
But what do those words really mean? It appears too often that the politicians and scientists are giving us conflicting advice as to what are the rules, what we should and should not do … what is safe and what is unsafe … what is acceptable for the good of our health and what is unacceptable. Chaos is the result.
Thinking about the confusing and contradictory words that those leading us are speaking, compares very unfavourably with the words of ‘Almighty God, our Creator, our Father Who lives in heaven’. The Lord God speaks to us in His Word the Bible, in such clarity and detail, that no one who comes honestly to Him, seeking the truth, can fail to understand the good news and simplicity of His message to us:
‘Our sin has separated us from God’ … ‘we therefore live in a broken and troubled world’
… ‘there is nothing we can do about it’
‘God loves us and gave His Son Jesus to die in our place’
… ‘our sin can now be forgiven and removed’
… ‘we can be reconciled to God and know Him as our loving heavenly Father’
Because of our Lord Jesus, ‘social distancing’ between us and God and the ‘lockdown restrictions’ imposed upon us by our sin, have been removed for all who believe in Him and honestly come to Him.
I would like to share some wonderful, clear words of encouragement to you from the Lord God Himself:
‘Come near to God and He will come near to you’
‘Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’
‘Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord’
‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God’
‘I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you’
‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you’
‘The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms’
Are you living in lockdown, socially distancing yourself from God? Or are you enjoying nestling in His faithful, loving, strong embrace, hearing the comforting beat of His heart as you rest your weary head on His chest, confident that your sin has been removed and that you are safe in His everlasting arms?
That is what the Lord God offers each one of us, in the clear reading and understanding of His Word.