Nearness to God

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 21, 1907

The very countenance of a man of much prayer will often bear witness to his acquaintedness with the mountain height. It will show a softened spiritual beauty that in his prayerless days it never had. But whether or not the face bears witness to the mountain top, the whole life and character will. There is sure to be seen in his whole tone an elevation of feeling showing clearly that he is accustomed to be often very near to God; and thus his high fellowship with God will bring about a high life before men. If any Christian finds that his soul is not sufficiently raised above the down-dragging influence of earthly things, and his life not transformed, gradually but surely, into the beauty of holiness, it is only because he does not often enough climb the hill of secret communion with God, nor linger long enough there to catch its heavenly glow. We need to be much in the company of God if we are to understand God, to sympathize with God, to feel as God feels, to resemble God. Two human hearts that are constantly together, dwelling in the same house, sharing the same house, sharing the same table, talking with each other, finding each other's presence a daily joy, get in time wonderfully to resemble each other in all their habits of life, in their way of looking at life, in all their feelings about life, even in the very tones of the voice. It is this kind of intimacy with God that we need to cultivate; an intimacy that will enable us to understand God in all the ways of his divine love, and will prevent us from misunderstanding him when his love is a little concealed; an intimacy that will gradually make us resemble God too, lifting us into a region purer and loftier than other men know anything of.

“When one that holds communion with the skies Has filled his urn where these pure waters rise, And once more mingles with earth's meaner things, ’Tis even as if an angel shook his wings: Immortal fragrance fills the circuit wide; And tells us whence his treasures are supplied.”

— Rev. G. H. Knight.