It just is.

It really is good to be near God.

It is really good to be near God.

“But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.”
Psalm 73:28

Let’s make space to consider for a few moments:

  • How good is it to become aware of His Presence in the midst of a moment or a season or that vital turning point of faith in a life or the wonder of God in another’s life?
  • How good is it to realize that in all of the chaos that comes with life in a fallen world and all of the falling short we do in trying to meet it, God is there for all who will simply admit the need and take refuge in Him by faith in Christ?
  • How good is it to realize and then grow into the wonders of the mercy, grace, patience, love, faithfulness, forgiveness, truth, and justice embracing us as God our Refuge, our very Present Help?
  • How good is it to gather up these threads in our lives and tell our stories that dispel darkness and draw others to the Light of the World?

I remember one of my first prayer journal entries well. It was legible but still had the marks of a beginning writer—an imprecise, wobbly pencil. It spoke of the pain of a hard home that I find myself still grateful for: “Lord, I need Your help. I’m in trouble again, and I don’t know why. I never know why.” Oh, how God my Refuge met that little boy there times without number! And yes, in the heart ache, His mending Presence met me again and again with goodness.

It’s like I can see a thousand snapshots of my life where He met me with goodness! His perfect understanding of me and song over me through hearing and speech impediments. His hand over many, many procedures and treatments. His friendship amidst bullies on the playground. His affirmation when ministry leaders said “you’re no good” or “you’re unfit.” His life when my heart stopped in my mid 20s. His security when there was a potential birth defect in my youngest son or when jobs transitioned and the ends needed to meet in unknown, new ways. His faithful cleansing when I stumble in the muck and mire of sin yet again. His steadfast love in and through many moments of life that seem like they are whirling around chaotically—either circumstantially or inside my cranium or both.

God was there. I could run and hide in Him. He told the truth about His goodness and being a Refuge for the weak and wounded ones like me. And, I could put those last three sentences in the present and future tense, and they would still check out.

Can you see that in your story, too? When’s the last time you helped someone else see that through your story? Oh! How important it is to remember and share “my Refuge” stories!

Of course! I could tell you about how His nearness was good on vacation days in a beautiful location, in those thousands of hours spent worshiping over God’s Word in prayer, in time of participating in or leading corporate worship through music, singing, preaching, and teaching, in that sacred space of listening and responding in pastoral counseling. And, God used those things in the midst of the various seasons of life I’ve walked through so far.

But, in the context of Psalm 73, the Psalmist is looking around at how the wicked seem to prosper way too much in the world, and here he is struggling while seeking to live by faith. The Psalmist lets all that frustration fly in prayer and song until the troubled waters are quieted by God meeting him there in goodness as He worships through the struggle in the last verse.

It stands to reason, doesn’t it? Someone could lack that sense of goodness whether they are at the bottom of a dusty crater in the desert or they are reclined on a yacht deck off of a private island. And yet, God is near and full of true goodness available in both circumstances and everything in between.

How do we experience the nearness and goodness of God, His Refuge? Worship. He’s always Present and available. Turn to Him in the simplicity of a prayer or song, a verse rehearsed, a list of gratitude—worship Him through it. He’ll be there with good gifts to hand you—good gifts to receive by faith and to aid you along the way of walking by faith. And, as He does, let’s remember to share those stories, which turns out to be yet another way to experience His nearness and goodness in valuable ways.

Latest Updates

View All
May
12
DannyGokey

New Music Monday: Only for a Moment

Posted by Mark

May
12
20250516 PrayforNeighbor Cookies

Cookie Recipe for Neighbors

Posted by Kara

May
8
20250519 PrayForNeighbors Holly

A Small Act of Kindness

Posted by Holly

May
5
Preach

New Music Monday: Preach

Posted by Mark

May
5
20250501 PrayForNeighbor Mark

An Invitation to Pray for Neighbors

Posted by Mark

Apr
25
NeighborExperience

Pray For Your Neighbor Experience

Posted by Robert

Apr
22
NatalieLayne

New Music Monday: ALL JOY!

Posted by Mark

Apr
21
FEATURED VacationBibleSchool VBS Kona v2

Share Your VBS Here!

Posted by Robert

View All
More Shows
Who? What? Why? Finding the Right Mental Health Professional for you with Dr. Billy Jones (Season 5 Episode 19)
Tangible Truth Podcast
I ASSURE YOU (5/13/25)
Prayer Starters
A Little More: Healing is Brave Work
More Than Small Talk
Morning Show Highlights 5/08/25
The KLRC Morning Show Podcast
Life After Abortion- Staci Phillips (S03E16)
The Brave Place
Holy Week 2025- Easter Sunday
A Listening Life
Load More...
Current Station:

KLRC Radio

LIVE
Overnights
with Sean

The KLRC Podcast Network

TangibleTruthPodcast 2023 3000 QL70 v2

Who? What? Why? Finding the Right Mental...

Tangible Truth Podcast

1466001 1652719621

I ASSURE YOU (5/13/25)

Prayer Starters

MoreThanSmallTalk2 3000 v2

A Little More: Healing is Brave Work

More Than Small Talk

MorningShowPodcast Generic

Morning Show Highlights 5/08/25

The KLRC Morning Show Podcast

TheBravePlace v2

Life After Abortion- Staci Phillips (S03...

The Brave Place

AListeningLife Artwork2021 v2

Holy Week 2025- Easter Sunday

A Listening Life

×

Thanks for the feedback!

Rate more music and help KLRC improve.

CURRENT SHOW
...
...
About the Show
ON THE AIR
Overnights
with Sean
About the Show

Share Your Story

Your email will not be published.

Share Your Prayer Request

Your email will not be published.