Closer Than NearbySample

I'LL STAND BY YOU

Another make-or-break moment in love stories is when the hero rescues his lover from an evil enemy. The lover’s enemy becomes his enemy as well. The scene usually ends with the damsel in distress cuddled safely in the hero’s arms and the two lovers closer to each other than ever. David realizes the value of being on his Lover’s side when growing closer to God.

By this time in David’s life, he knows that God is on his side. He has conquered many giants by God’s power. But the step that brought David to a more intimate relationship with God, was the commitment to be on God’s side as well. “O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies” (Psalm 139:21-22, NLT).

When David took on the mighty Goliath, it was the giant’s mockery of God that pushed him into battle. “‘I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God!’” (1 Samuel 17:36, NLT). Can you think of a better declaration of love than to protect your lover’s name? Or to endure hardship because of your loyalty to them?

In John 15, Jesus declares his love for the disciples by inviting them into a loyal friendship with Him. "I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me" (v. 15). He warns the disciples that his enemies will also become their enemies if they remain close to him. “‘Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you" (v. 20). Fortunately, the disciples recognized the privilege to be Jesus’ best friend!

How does it make you feel when people mock God or abuse his name? How do you think your relationship with God may change if you decide to defend his name?

Let us build a more intimate relationship with God by joining his side as loyal lovers do. And I believe that by choosing God’s side, we will find the joy of being inseparable from Him. “And I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love” (Romans 8:38, NLT)