“The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.” — Psalm 145:18-20
Psalm 145 is a very beautiful Psalm, beginning with a wonderful hymn of praise and focusing on God’s goodness and mercy. It is the kind of message we take great comfort in but, unfortunately, can also take for granted. As generous as the Psalm seems to be, it should be noted that there are underlying conditions for enjoying the precious promises. The portion we have chosen for our “nugget” for today will, I trust, illustrate the point.
v. 18 - “The Lord is near…” That is a promise of proximity. The awesome fact is, of course, that by reason of His omnipresence God is never far away. God is everywhere. Many would wish Him to disappear, to “get Him out of their hair,” as our idiom would have it, but cannot escape His all seeing eye and His inevitable judgment. But for those who believe that God “is” and that He is the “rewarder of those who diligently seek him,” it can be a great comfort to know that He is a God at hand Who “fills heaven and earth,” (cf. Jeremiah 23:23-24), instantly available with “grace to help in time of need.”
However, there are two conditions in this verse requisite to enjoying this glorious benefit. The first is “call.” Through the Lord Jesus Christ, for example, this God of all grace has made the forgiveness of sin and sins universally available. But He has not provided universal salvation. The word says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved [Rom. 10:13].” Those who refuse to call will miss the blessing of eternal life.
Again, to the believer He says ”If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [I John 1:9].” Those who fail to call and confess will find themselves bereft of that grace, notwithstanding His proximity. To all the scripture says, “Ye have not because ye ask not [James 4:2].”
The second condition is that one “call upon Him in truth.” Superficial prayers from insincere hearts avail nothing when addressed to our readily accessible God. He is “near” to those who call upon Him on His terms, not ours. Grace is readily available, and it is free, but it is not cheap. It cost the Son of God His life, and it requires of the penitent sincerity of heart.
v. 19 - “He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him…” This is a promise of provision. A wonderful New Testament parallel is found in the familiar Philippians 4:19— “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” But, its condition is fear, or reverence. “The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil [Prov. 19:23].” There is a flippancy and superficiality in much of modern Christianity that comes short of the glory of God. It brings shallowness to the churches and spiritual, if not temporal poverty to the believer. To be sure, He is “near” to all and we are invited to come boldly before His throne, but we must not come brazenly. “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor and life [Prov. 22:4].”
v.20 - “The Lord preserveth all them that love Him…” This verse assures preservation, but it also comes with a condition—that we love Him. Love is not a warm feeling, though it may include that, but it is an attitude that effects behavior. The Savior makes this clear when He says, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” Love for God disposes us to be obedient to His word and desirous of His fellowship, “fruitful in every good work to do His will.”
There is a glib attitude in much present day Christianity associated with the valued doctrine of “eternal security,” (a phrase which, incidentally, appears nowhere in scripture itself) which seems to suggest that once one has “made a profession of faith,” he need not fear the judgment of God no matter what his behavior may be. Such “easy believe-ism” simply does not square with the whole tenor of the New Testament revelation. The Savior’s appeal for obedience as proof of our love for Him is supported by the emphasis of Paul who, defining justification by faith for the saints at Ephesus, declares that the true believer is “created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them [see Eph. 2;10].” And by the challenge of James, “Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works [See James 2:14-20].” Obedience and love are hallmarks of true faith!
Call upon Him, for He is near, “a God at hand;” fear Him, for He is “great, and greatly to be praised; love Him and He will never fail you.
A voice in the wilderness,
"Pastor" Frasier
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