Psalm 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

There are two important concepts expressed in this verse. The first is that there are various ways we can call on God, and not all are equally effective. I’ve been at many functions that started with an “invocation” that was as dry and empty, and ultimately meaningless, as chaff from grain that has been threshed. I don’t think God pays much attention to such prayers! I’m reminded of the humorous poem about the farmer who, through a series of mishaps, wound up suspended by one leg tangled in a rope, upside down in his well. The poem is first person, and ends up with, “But the ‘prayingest’ prayer I ever did pray was upside down in that well.” The point of the poem is that posture doesn’t matter as much as heart attitude, and that certainly agrees with what David says here. The second important concept in this verse is that God can be near or far. That may not seem like a big deal, but it’s actually very important. Because God is infinite and we aren’t, logically speaking we exist inside God. Actually, the Bible says that, too. (Acts 17:28) However, God, by choice, is “near” to those who are in line with Him. The more we know of God, the more desirable that seems to us. When we don’t know Him well, when we think of Him as a stern taskmaster just waiting to whack us when we get out of line, then we won’t want to be near Him. However, when we come to know Him as David did, as “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love” (verse 8), then we really can’t get enough of Him!

I have certainly tasted this myself, and as a result, intimacy with God is perhaps my highest goal. However, there are moments when you might not know that from how I am acting! Like Paul, I get frustrated with myself for not living consistently in line with the truth I know. (Romans 7) However, I have learned the importance of absolute honesty before God, which is what David is talking about here. Like the father of the epileptic boy, I cry out, “Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) As a “professional Christian,” the temptation to pray empty prayer is often there, and I must stand firm against it. Through listening to me pray people can learn how to pray and also learn that it is possible to be intimate with God, but only if my prayers are genuine indeed. I need to seek the help of the Holy Spirit every time I pray, so that I may indeed pray in truth, according to His will.

Father, thank You for raising me in a family where it was as natural to talk to You as to anyone visible. Very few people have had that advantage. Help me not take that privilege lightly, but be faithful to lead, teach, and train others into intimacy with You. May this church be a place where You delight to manifest Your presence, because we delight in You. May all who enter here be touched by Your Spirit and brought to repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!