O LORD, BE NOT FAR FROM ME.

 

 

O Lord, be not far from me.
Psalm 35:22

 
THE Christian is like a timid child,
  he cannot bear to be left alone.
 
He wants to have his Father always with him.
 
He knows so much of his weakness and the depravity of his heart;
  of the number and power of his enemies;
  of the many and great dangers to which he is exposed,
  that he does not feel comfortable to stir a step alone.
 
The Lord has promised to be always with him,
   never to leave him nor forsake him;
   this he believes,
   but he wants to realize the presence of his God.
 
If he feels that God is with him,
  smiling upon him, and
  imparting strength unto him,
  he can cheerfully go anywhere, or do any thing;
  but without this he is often afraid and dispirited.
 
Beloved, do you know any thing of the presence of the Lord?
 
Have you ever enjoyed it?
 
Have you been left to go to duty, to trial or to conflict, without it?
 
If so, you know the value of it, and most earnestly will you pray,
  “O Lord, be not far from me,”
 
Well, the Lord will not be far away, nor long away,
  for those who long for his presence, and
   who cannot be happy in his absence.
 
If we seek him, he will be found of us.
 
If we call upon him, he will hear.
 

Life, like a fountain rich and free,

Springs from the presence of the Lord;

And in his light our souls shall see

The glories promised in his word.

 
James Smith 1849