Am I only a God nearby and not a God faraway? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see Him? Do I not fill the heaven and the Earth (Jeremiah 23:23-24)? These are the exact declaration from the very mouth of God when prophet Jeremiah was in despair ministering with the Israelites.

There was this young man who chose to marry at a very young age. Lacking in experience, he was not able to handle his married life well, up to the point that he and his wife have to part ways. The young man started to mock God, cursing Him for what has transpired in his life. Soon enough, the young man started to feel alone, as if nobody really cares, nobody understands and everything in his life is meaningless. He can no longer feel the works of God’s hands as he used to. He is a complete mess before the eyes of men and God. What has happened to this young man? No one would really know, but what could have been the problem is that, the young man has boxed the existence of God into a limited confinement. He failed to see that God is everywhere, God knows everything, and God can do miracles. Because of this, God was hindered to work things out for him.

God would only work in a miraculous way in your life if only you believe. God can move inside your family. He can bring inner healing, fixed broken marriages, unite broken family if someone believes He can. God is not confined in the four corners of the church. He is everywhere. You can all upon the name of the Lord wherever you are and be moved! He fills the whole universe with the splendor of His presence. But the key to God’s miraculous way is your belief. Without belief there is no miracle!

There is this instance that Jesus, while doing His ministry in Nazareth, did not perform mighty works and miracles. And the scriptures gave one simple explanation. Matthew 13:58 says, “And He [Jesus] did not do many mighty works there [Nazareth] because of their unbelief. It’s not that He cannot do, but He did not do. What situation are you in right now that needs God’s intervention? What are the things He needs to do for you? And what are the things that seem impossible and needs miracles? Think of everything and start to believe!

I still remember these lines from an old song I used to sing some years ago.  It was inspired by the story of The Prodigal Son – parable which was told by the Lord Jesus Christ about a man asking his father his inheritance.  He is a co-heir with his brother. Though following the traditions, it was not right to divide the inheritance while he is still alive; the father was forced to give it to the man because of his love for his son.  After spending what was given to him and living in a riotous way, that man lost all that he has and later on just served as helper to swine raisers in a faraway place.  When he realized that what he did was wrong, he decided to go back to his father and humbly admit his fault and ask his father to just hire him as one of his servants.  As he was almost in their house, the father who was waiting in the window for his return everyday saw him from afar.  The old man ran to meet him and hugged him and asked the servants to go and get a robe for him and gave him a ring symbolizing his son-ship.

The parable, as many preachers had already explained, talks about the attitude of our heavenly father in response to our foolish behaviour.

Do you see yourself to be like that young man who did some foolish things in his life and also like him, realize that you were really wrong?

Have you imagined that picture of the father running forgivingly to a son who had offended him previously or better yet, have you imagined that dramatic picture of God running towards you with his arms wide-spread saying, “Hey, child, do you know how much I love you?”

As you read this, use your imagination.  It’s not a fantasy.  It’s not illusion. It’s reality, touching you.  Some two thousand years ago, God ran to you in sweet forgiveness.  What is your response to Him now?

He stripped himself off of all the glory of a king being worshipped and bowed down to in heaven by the angels and in all the earth by his creations.  He chose to live, walk and feel the way you live, walk and feel.  He ran to you…  He has been waiting there since the day you walked away from him, enjoying all the benefits and blessings that you have from his loving hands.  He wants to take you in his arms; he wants to hold your head in His chest.  He is saying, “Hey, child, do you know how much I love you?”

He loves you so much…. and He wants to say that straight into your eyes.  Would you say you love him too?  Would you, now?

The boy Isaac innocently asked his father Abraham.  The old man woke him up earlier than their usual schedule.  He wasn’t sure if his dad ever slept since he saw him praying earnestly the night before.  He even heard him crying bitterly as he prayed.

That morning, Abraham asked his son Isaac to go with him as he worship the Lord and offer his sacrifices in the mountains.  The boy just couldn’t understand why his father was soft spoken and would seldom speak that day.  His old man was always jolly especially whenever he would go to the mountains to worship.  It’s just very different this day.

Abraham was arranging the firewood when it all came back to him.  He loved Sarah so much.  He was still a young man when he met her.  He fell in love with her and as soon as time was ripe for them, he married her.  It was after the wedding that the Lord called Abraham and asked him to leave his land and settle in the place where the Lord would lead him. After a few years they both discovered that Sarah’s womb was not fruitful.  When the Lord visited him before the destruction of the nearby towns, Sodom and Gomorrah, he promised Abraham that a son will be born to him after a year – something that was strange to him.  He was already old by that time and the truth is Sarah was barren.  But God’s words came to pass….
“Come here son.  Lie down and I shall bind you”, he held his tears back, preventing them to be visible to Isaac.  He was the fulfillment of a long – standing dream, the answer to his prayers, and God’s very gift to him.  But since the giver is now asking him for his son Isaac to be offered, he is more than willing to obey yet he would be a hypocrite if he would not show grief for the would – be loss of his only son.

He laid the boy down the pile of rocks topped with dry woods.  He tied Isaac’s hands and after a deep and long breath, he pulled the knife from his waist and lifted it high.  He looked at the boy’s innocent yet fearful eyes as he prepared to strike him and offer him as a sacrifice for the God he had always obeyed and trusted.

“Abraham, stop!  I have seen your obedience and I have proven your love for me”, he heard that holy voice and gave a sigh of relief.

As this story that was told from one generation to another in Israel, went on, a story of the same nature took place, some 3,000 years after Abraham.  A father gave up his son as a sacrifice, as a ransom for the lives of many.  You and I are the beneficiaries of that sacrifice.  That time, no one stopped the consummation of the sacrifice of the father through the son Jesus Christ.  That is the reason why up to this moment, we are enjoying life.  Are you now willing to give him your life as well?