“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Psalm 107:3

Even though I know God’s truths and may have recently been refreshed by them, a feeling can descend upon me that is as if I am far from God.  Whether it be sin, pitiable life circumstances, or wrong thinking sending me on a downward dark spiral; there are life moments when it can feel like there is a length between me and God.

When I feel this way, it is good to ask myself this question, “Am I truly grasping the length of God’s love?”

Thankfully, truths that rescue are easily accessible! Whether I am in a moment of despair right now or not, it is good to moderate my current thoughts and input truths about God’s love. Here are a couple:

“Is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem?”

Isaiah 50:2

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.”

Isaiah 59:1

John Bunyan has something to say to us who are in this condition:

“…I will not now ask you how you came into this condition, or how long this has been your state; but I will say before you, and please hear me, O the length of the saving arm of God!  As yet you are within the reach thereof; do not go about to measure arms with God, as some good men are apt to do: I mean, do not conclude, that because you can’t reach God by your short stump, therefore he cannot reach you with his long arm. Look again, ‘Have you an arm like God’ (Job 40:9), an arm like his for length and strength?  It becomes you when you can’t perceive that God is within the reach of your arm, then to believe that you are within the reach of his; for it is long, and none knows how long.”

John Bunyan

BELIEVE.

When you don’t feel close, believe God’s truths. When you do feel close, believe God’s truths.

Pray that the Holy Spirit would illuminate your heart and mind to grasp this at all times.

If you are in Christ, then you are already as close to the Lord as you can ever be. You have been brought near to God.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 

Ephesians 2:13

Obedience makes our relationship with Him richer and sweeter.  The clouds of sin may hinder us from sensing his shining love that is always there.  Walking close to Him helps us to see Him more clearly.  We can’t win His love with our works.  Likewise, we can’t lose His love with our works or lack of.

The truths of our position in Christ and God’s great love that stretches beyond how we feel, bring us back to gracious thinking for ourselves and others.

Maybe you already grasp this well or you’re feeling fine about this today.  Praise God!  If that’s the case, then would you consider again that God’s arm is not too short to save someone you love?  Maybe there is someone you’ve given up hope for ever grasping God’s love themselves.  Or is there a loved one who seems to have abandoned the faith? Let us rise boldly and cry out to God for them.  If you don’t know where to start, here are Bunyan’s own words for us. Join me?

“Awake, O arm of the Lord…Aren’t you who dried the sea, the waters of the great deep, who has made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?’ (Isaiah 51:9).  Awake, O arm of the Lord, and be stretched out as far as to where my poor husband is, where my poor child, or to where my poor backslidden wife or dear relation is, and lay hold, fast hold; they are gone from you, but, O you the hope of Israel, fetch them again, and let them stand before you.”

John Bunyan

May God answer and bless our cries and bless our efforts in seeking His strong arm and hand for those we love.

Will you join me over the next few weeks as we explore and grasp God’s love more fully?  I agree with Bunyan that it is our privilege and duty to do so. My goal is to be prepared to face the trials and temptations of this life well.  Perhaps we might even flourish under them as John Bunyan did. If you missed the introduction to this series, you can find it here:

Am I Truly Grasping God’s Love, Even When I Feel Unlovable?

Would you like your own copy of All Loves Excelling?

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Do you appreciate the regular questions I ask on this blog? If so, you would also like the booklet I’ve put together called

Asking is Loving: Powerful, life-changing questions to ask yourself and the people you love.

This booklet contains over one hundred questions split up into four groups of questions for yourself, your spouse, your children, and your friends.

Do you want a tool that can bring honor and value to your relationships with others? Do you want to deepen the knowledge you have of yourself and others? Do you want to move and help move others beyond passivity and toward more congruence, with the life we desire in our hearts and the life the Lord may intend for us to live?

Click here for this free booklet and more!

Linking up this week with these lovely bloggers!

Inspire Me Monday