Young Adults' Group

The Lord Is Near

by Pastor Mark
January 05, 2017

The significant place of the Down Memory Lane message

Over the years, many of us have come to appreciate the importance of the DML message. Pastor Charles would give a word that will set our focus as a church for the year. It makes this message one of the most significant messages of the year.

It is always with great anticipation that we wait for this final message before the year ends. I would always wonder as to what Pastor would be speaking about…what the Lord would lay upon his heart. And it is always a word that is meant to give us a lasting encouragement or challenge for the year.

A most encouraging word for 2017

For this year, Pastor gave us another apt word. As a country and as a church, we are faced with uncertainties such as a weaker economy and the prospect of hard times ahead.

But Pastor gave a most encouraging word, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call Him in truth.” (Ps 145:18) This is such a reassuring word…to know that the Lord is near to all of us. Sometimes, in the midst of our challenges, we feel that God is far away… that He has distanced Himself. It is comforting to know that He is near. This is what God is like. He is near us and He is with us. There is nothing that we need to fear with His presence.

Our part…prayer and faith

We need to pray and to call upon the Lord. The Lord will be near to those who will specially call upon the Lord. When we pray to the Lord, we are seeking to draw near to the Lord. We are calling out to Him with His truth in mind. We are seeking to exercise our faith in prayer.

The Lord will be near us

When we call upon the Lord, how do we know that the Lord is truly near us? The Lord’s involvement is very clear when He is near us.

1. The Lord will give power to uphold us
“The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.” (Ps 145:14)

2. The Lord will provide for us according to our needs
“The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season.” (Ps 145:15)

3. The Lord will answer our prayers
“He will fulfil the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.” (Ps 145:19)

4. The Lord will preserve us
“The Lord preserves all who love Him,” (Ps 145:20)

These are some of the ways in which the Lord will show that He is near us.

One resolution for 2017

This is one resolution that I would like to focus on for the year…To know that the Lord is near. We really don’t need anything else…but to understand, appreciate and to apply this assurance into our life. I thank God that He is indeed near and that we need not fear anything that may come our way in the year ahead. Let us face each challenge focusing on this wonderful truth…The Lord is near!

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