멀어진 줄 알았던 하나님, 사실 가장 가까이에 계셨다 When You Feel Far from God, He’s Already Near

1.God’s Love Transcends Religious Backgrounds

Henri Nouwen wrote Life of the Beloved to a non-Christian friend, using personal and inclusive language instead of traditional “Christianese.”

His friend, a secular Jewish man, couldn’t relate to explicitly Christian terminology but still longed for meaning and connection.

Nouwen believed deeply that God’s love reached his friend regardless of religious distance.



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2. God Is Always Near

Referencing Deuteronomy 30: “The word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”

This suggests that following God is not about human ability, but about God's nearness and initiative.

“Even when we turn away, He has already been there all along.”



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3. Humanity Repeatedly Fails—But God Never Gives Up

Israel’s history is marked by disobedience and exile, yet God constantly sends prophets and renews His promise.

King David, despite sin and failure, was still chosen and forgiven.

God's faithfulness remained, even when His people fell short—a repeated cycle of failure met with relentless grace.



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4. Jesus Is the Fulfillment of God’s Restorative Plan

God's eternal promise to David finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the “Righteous Branch.”

Jesus obeyed fully, unlike Israel or David, and offered eternal life—not through war or dominance, but through sacrificial love.

Jesus is the embodiment of life, the way back to God for all people.



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5. Christian Language Can Be a Barrier

Church language often alienates those unfamiliar with Scripture or tradition.

Many people have never heard of terms like “salvation” or “redemption” in meaningful ways.

The sermon emphasizes the need to communicate God’s love through sincere care, not just religious jargon.



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6. God’s Love Can Be Revealed Through Us

“Our genuine care and love for others can express God’s pursuit of them.”

Even if religious terms fail, our compassion, humility, and presence can communicate the gospel.

God is available to everyone—regardless of their past or present beliefs.



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🔚 Final Message

> God continues to pursue us through history, failure, and silence. What matters is that we turn back to Him, and we may find He was never far. We, too, can reflect His love—not only with our words but with our lives.

1. 하나님의 사랑은 종교적 배경을 초월한다

헨리 나우웬은 비기독교인 친구에게 편지를 쓰며, 전통적인 교회 언어(Christianese)로는 닿지 않는 사람에게도 하나님의 사랑이 가까이 있음을 설명하려 함.

친구는 유대인으로서 교회 중심의 언어에 거리감을 느끼지만, 헨리는 하나님이 그에게도 다가가고 계심을 확신함.

하나님의 사랑은 특정 종교 언어를 넘어 모든 사람에게 향해 있음.



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2. 하나님은 언제나 우리 가까이에 계신다

신명기 본문(신30장): “이 말씀은 네 입에 있고 네 마음에 있다. 네가 그것을 행할 수 있다.”

이는 인간의 능력보다, 하나님이 항상 가까이 계시기에 우리가 순종할 수 있다는 선언.

“하나님이 멀리 계시지 않다. 우리가 돌아서기만 하면 이미 그 자리에 계신다.”



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3. 인간은 반복적으로 실패하지만, 하나님은 포기하지 않으신다

이스라엘은 계속해서 율법을 지키지 못하고 실패함.

바벨론 포로, 유다의 멸망, 반복되는 배신 속에서도 하나님은 선지자들을 통해 “나는 너희를 포기하지 않는다”고 선언.

예: 다윗의 죄와 회개, 예레미야의 소망의 메시지, 회복의 약속.



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4. 예수님은 하나님의 궁극적인 회복의 방식이다

다윗에게 주어진 “영원한 왕위”의 약속은 결국 예수 그리스도로 성취됨.

예수는 인간의 실패를 대신 짊어지고, 율법을 완성하신 존재로서 오심.

“그는 우리를 향한 하나님의 사랑의 결정적인 증거이며, 우리가 다시 생명을 선택할 수 있는 이유이다.”



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5. 기독교 언어는 때때로 장벽이 될 수 있다

교회에서 사용하는 ‘기독교적 표현들’이 외부인에게는 오히려 소외감을 줄 수 있음.

하나님의 사랑과 복음을 전할 때, 삶과 진심어린 관심, 비기독교적인 언어로도 전달할 수 있어야 함.



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6. 하나님의 사랑은 우리를 통해 전해질 수 있다

“우리가 누군가를 진심으로 사랑하고 돌볼 때, 그것이 곧 하나님의 사랑을 보여주는 방법이 될 수 있다.”

우리 삶의 자세, 돌봄, 태도가 복음의 언어가 될 수 있음.



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🔚 마무리 메시지

> 하나님은 인간의 실패와 거리를 넘어 끊임없이 사랑으로 추적하신다. 우리가 해야 할 것은 돌아서는 것뿐이다. 그리고, 우리 역시 하나님의 사랑의 전달자로서, 언어를 넘어서 삶으로 그 사랑을 증명할 수 있다.


한글번역 His books often spoke to the needs of lifelong Christians People who are very familiar with the Bible. The Christian religion and the Christian is language that we often use in the church. Life of the Beloved is different because it is written as a letter to an unnamed and unbelieving friend. He first met this friend when he came to interview Henry for a short and frankly boring newspaper. Every discovered during their conversation that the young reporter didn't like his job. He just did it for the money. What do you really wanted to do was write a book? But he couldn't because he said he was too busy and besides he didn't have the talent pool anyway. Henry encourage them to try Even gave him an artist residency at Yale Divinity School where Henry was a professor at the time. But they started a meaningful relationship. Some years later when they were both working in New York City. The two friends were walking and the younger man spoke once again about his General dissatisfaction with life. Henry asks as he had many times over the years. What about God? Henry's friend had read several of his books. And Henry remembers the conversation? We both had to deal with the Pains of rejection and separation. And both of us realized increasingly our desire for intimacy and friendship. To avoid being drowned in bitterness and resentment. We both had to draw on our deepest spiritual resources. As a Jew living in the secular world of New York City. He couldn't find much comfort or supports support in words that were so explicitly Christian. And so clearly based on a longthe church It is good stuff. He often said but not for me. He felt strongly that his own experience and that of his friends required another tone. Another language Another Spiritual Awakening Henry now, I'm deeply believe that God loved his friend. Despite their apparent distance from one another. He does really wanted his friends know that despite everything that might stand in the way. I'm not doing another book report today. It got me thinking. So often in the church, we say that someone is far from God. Because of their sin Sometimes we can even suggest that someone is far from God because they are sad or angry. In other words, we apply that someone's circumstances can separate them from God. Or worse yet that God is absent in their pain. And whether or not the pain is a consequence of sin. There's nothing in scripture to suggest that God himself ever stops moving towards the people he created. Our sins and the sins of others have Painful consequences. And well, they may temporarily blind us from seeing God's love for us. There is never a time that he stopped seeking us for restoration. In our scripture today, we find the Israelites about to enter the land that he promised to their ancestors long ago. Moses is concluding basically a long servant with a second review of the law. That he received on Mount Sinai about 40 years later earlier. I mean The main idea of the sermon is pretty clear. You can love the Lord your God with all your heart all your soul all your mind all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Okay. That's clear. But the conclusion is a little bit confusing to me, I think. In a previous chapter right before this one. They're giving a list of all the wonderful blessings that they will receive in the new Promised Land. If they obey what God has commanded them in the law. And then a mirror image they're given a list of grave consequences curses as they're put in the Bible. That will occur if they go away from God if they worship other gods. And Moses even says that he knows that they're going to fail. God knows That they won't live up to his requirements. They will be scattered away to far away lands. That's one of the warnings. That God says that when they decide to turn back to him. He will be And they will have all of those blessings that they pissed out on the first time. That is if they obey the requirements of the law by loving God with every part of that. Then they'll be blessed with everything they need. So Suddenly on some Far Away day. They'll be able to obey like before. They seemed unwilling or unable to do so. Even though God knows they're going to fail in the near future. Closest continues was something curious that we just read? Now what I'm commanding today is not too difficult for you or for Beyond to reach. It is not up in heaven so that you have to ask who will Ascend into heaven. To get it and Proclaim it to us so that we vote Nord is it Beyond the Sea So that you have to ask who will cross the sea to get it and Proclaim it to us. So that mean by other day. No, the word is very near you it isn't your mouth and in your heart. You can do it But at the same time It seems like he's saying two things at once. Right. It's easy But of course tomorrow Further down the page. He clarifies the choice they have This day I call the heavens and the Earth that's Witnesses against you that I have said before you life and death. Blessings and curses Now choose life So that you and your children may live. And then you may love the Lord your God listen to his voice and hold fast for the Lord is your life. And he will give you many years in the land. He swore to give to your fathers. Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Got it brought the Israelites to the entrance of the promised land a variety of ways. He put the flags on Egypt so that Pharaoh would finally let them go be part of the Red Sea. He provided everything that they needed. Despite their complaining in the wilderness. He defeated some enemies along the way even to this point. All despite their opposition to If we examine our journey how God has brought us here today. And there might have been some miracles. Everybody been some resistance. This could easily be a sermon about some method to choose life. I obeying God. But that's not exactly what stands out. What really interests me is how this command to choose life would be so close. So easy to grab hold of if Moses estimation. The reason that this word is so close. So achievable doesn't depend on our ability to keep God's requirements. We are able to claim to God because he stays so close. He continues to pursue us at all times. Even if we've done everything that warns us When we decide to choose God's life over what he calls death. We don't have to reach out at all because he has been there all along. Even if we run away from him. God's raises there for us to freely receive. In the case of the Israelites what Moses predicted did come true? The opportunity that God had given them And the consequence was that they were destroyed by other nations. They were scattered to those far away lands. Have they seem to be far away from God's goodness. And eventually God did return them to the land of their ancestors. Well, it's more accurate to say that some of them came back. Primarily only one tribe the people of Judah came back to rebuild the Temple. The life that God intended They were even Guided by God's prophets yet again. And still they fell short of the blessing God intended. They failed over and over. And yet The Familiar story keeps repeating. Mistakes were made, but lessons were not learned. For those among God's people who had followed this family history and hope for something better. Will they ever get it, right? But there's an important reason for this this repeated theme. They never would get it right on their own. Through it all God invited people to try to him for everything. Of choosing the other way It didn't seem to make a difference in their performance. They're obedience. But those who God said to speak for him. The prophets saw and spoke to the fact that God would not give up on that despite their sin. Going back about 500 years. Before the return of Judah to Jerusalem Israel had a pretty decent King. King David did okay I guess. He started out strong. Trusting God Would help him to feed the Giant Goliath. Probably heard that one. The middle portion of his story involved him committing adultery and then murder to cover up his sultry. But he genuinely repented. And follow God Faithfully Also in parallel so the entire people of Israel. Johnson prophets to David to correct and warn him when he did wrong. The Province also spoke words of encouragement That pushed forward the story of God's faithfulness. And Samuel 2nd Samuel 7. The prophet Nathan speaks a promise to David and his descendants. The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you. When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your Offspring to succeed you. And I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my name. And I will establish the Throne of his kingdom, right? I will be his father. He will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by bed. With logging conflicted by human hands But my love will never be taken away from it. As I took it away from Saul if I removed before you. Your house and your kingdom will be a door forever before me. Your throne will be established forever. Forever God says his love will never be removed from David and his sons. As you know, they did do wrong. By being scattered by being removed from the Promised Land. Their leader was still one of David's Sons. But he was more of a governor that King. Is the last of his line mentioned in the Old Testament as a rubabelle? Apart from The Bible History tells us that their land was ruled by various other Empires for the next few hundred years. From a human perspective. It seems that God had actually stopped pursuing his people and that even his promise to David. Thankfully another profit Jeremiah. He was speaking to them at the time when Moses is worried about judah's destruction was about to come true. Babylon would soon destroy Jerusalem God's people, although somewhere innocent. We're about to experience the consequences of going away from the life offered by God. Even so Insisted that he is coming here to save them. The days are coming declares the Lord, but I will fulfill the good promise. I need to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous branch scrub forom David's line. He will do what is just and right and land. And those days Judah will be saved at Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called the Lord our righteous savior. Us know this King. Doesn't do his ruling or his saving like other kids. He would not fail to obey God. But neither would he simply destroy their enemies with an army? As the Apostle John put it. He gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. He offers life. Just as God did to the Israelites so many years ago. But the second verse I think is often overlooked. But to turn us away from them and into his Happy birthday preached before you know that I love doing these speed runs through the Bible highlighting some theme. And it's my bias for sure, but I do this because I believe that God is consistent. Some people think he's evil. But we know that's not true and if we look closely at the scripture. On the edge of the Promised Land What God insisted was right for that? His commands were impossible to keep without relying on him completely. Got new that they would not live up to his requirements. But he gave them hope for the future. Give them everything they need. Everything that they would ever need. On the day that they finally turned him. Jeremiah in another place speaks God's word this way For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house it Israel after those days declare some more. I will put my law within them and I will write it on their hearts and I will be there God and they shall be my people. Through Jesus God made it possible that Israel. Along with every other people group. Would be able to be transformed by himself. Through Jesus He forgave our Despite all of our sins. Or how we have been hurt by other sins. Don is never stopped his Pursuit of us over these thousands of years. I hope you know today that he's the other whatever your situation is. And there are many other people around us. We need to know this wonderful truth as well. And I think the way that I said this kind of Proves that the language about God's love about God's story. And sometimes be a little bit confusing for us a little And for people that haven't read the Bible, but I've never been in the church and hurt all of these. Christianese Russians that I'm using I think it can sometimes be impossible for them to understand. Because they just don't have the background. Many of us have experienced God's grace. Let me know that well. But a lot of people have no reference to them. But I believe that. God's love to others We truly and sincerely care for them. That can communicate God's pursuit of that. But whatever their history is Whatever they believe now, whatever they've done. He's available. Perhaps the usual Christian words won't work. What are sincerity our love and communicate with you know? I pray that today that even know that Jesus is here. Let's pray before the worship team comes back up.