57 YOU CAME NEAR WHEN I CALLED YOU,
and you said, ‘Do not fear.’ Lamentations 3 (Written by Jeremiah at the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple)
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close (NEAR TO THOSE SUFFERING) to the broken-hearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34 (When David fled Saul and pretended to be insane before Abimelech, the Philistine king)
Some further scriptures on the Lord being Near, especially during times of deep distress. Jeremiah and David both knew that God had not abandoned them, despite all that was happening to them. God is Faithful!
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. THE LORD IS NEAR. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4
Paul suffered much for the sake of the Gospel, indeed the Lord said that of him when he had his vision on the road to Damascus. But Paul tells us to Rejoice, because the LORD IS NEAR.
Paul and Silas were severely flogged and then thrown into prison, but they still worshipped the Lord while in stocks after being beaten. THEIR SPIRITS WEREN’T BEATEN DOWN and as they praised a miracle occurred. Then the jailer and his whole family gave their lives to the Lord.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ Acts 16
Two final New Testament scriptures that speak of the REWARD for those who stand firm in their faith in the face of opposition.
36 YOU NEED TO PERSEVERE so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,
‘IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.’ Hebrews 10, quoted from Isaiah 26:20, Hab 2:3
8 YOU TOO, BE PATIENT AND STAND FIRM, BECAUSE THE LORD’S COMING IS NEAR. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! James 5
THERE WILL BE A REWARD FOR THOSE WHO STAND FIRM NOW, A REWARD ON EARTH AND ALSO IN ETERNITY. AMEN
May the Lord bless and keep you today, Immanuel, God is with us.
(PS two days public holiday in N.Ireland)