God’s Heart

There is a place of quiet rest, Near to the heart of God:

A place where sin cannot molest, Near to the heart of God

Chorus: O Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God,

Hold us, who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God

There is a place of comfort sweet, Near to the heart of God;

A place where we our Savior meet, Near to the heart of God

There is a place of full release, Near to the heart of God;

A place where all is joy and peace, Near to the heart of God.

By Cleland B. McAfee

Sitting on Grandma’s lap in church is a very special privilege and one my granddaughters relish.. On this particular Sunday, it was 18-month-old Lauren who reached out her arms to me after Sunday school. As we worshipped in singing, Lauren amused herself by quietly flipping the pages of the songbook When the chorister started to lead Near to the Heart of God, she pushed the book aside, turned around on my lap, wrapped her arms around my neck and laid her head on my shoulder. With her little heart quietly beating on mine, Grandma and Lauren shared a very special bond for the entire song. With my head resting against hers, I gently rubbed her back. Suddenly the words of the song took on new meaning. It was as if Lauren knew and understood the words to that precious song. Tears welled in my eyes as I vividly saw my Jesus gently rocking and holding me tight. It is a holy moment to be near to the heart of God.

Meeting Jesus in a quiet place is a special privilege that only His children know. Words cannot convey the pure love of the moment when my heart beats against God’s heart and He wraps His arms around me, holding me tight. That moment doesn’t happen accidentally. Psalm 73:28 says, "It is good for me to draw near to God." God is always there, but I have to turn and give God a squeeze. It is a "place of full release, where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God."

Pat Hertzler

July 6, 2003