There is a traditional Irish blessing that says, “May the good Lord take a liking to you, but not too soon.” That certainly captures a popular view of God, doesn’t it? God is often viewed as both the stern policeman who keeps us from having fun and the One who can rescue us from the hell we know we deserve for all the “fun” we’ve had. Perhaps that’s how you see God, too. I know many people who would like to keep Him at arm’s length until the last possible moment.


How very different today’s blessing is. Paul understood that we don’t want God at a distance; we want Him with us 24/7. We need the God who will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He is not out to arrest us and throw us in jail; He is our Creator who lovingly pursues us and draws us to Himself. We can’t flee from Him. To have God with us is to have God for us – for our good, for all of our lives. Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the full (John 10:10). Stop pushing God away. Draw near to Him and receive His blessing.