Philippians 4:5 “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”
Like a brilliant beacon, the declaration that “The Lord is at hand” should command our attention; for, it is placed in the heart of authoritative Commandments for godly behavior and faithful service to our Lord and His Church and people. The sense is that our “Lord” is very nearby us, observing the things we are doing and knowing our motives for doing them. As in Biblical times, in our day we have a great many who casually excuse their ungodly behavior; as if saying, “The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.” (Psalms 94:7). But, they were and are warned of God’s Judgment as we live: “Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? 9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? 10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? 11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.” (Psalms 94:8-11). When Old Testament Israel thought God was not near; Isaiah gave them this warning from the Lord, “But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments. 10 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me. 11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know.” (Isaiah 47:9-11). Let us hear and heed Paul’s exhortation and warning to “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (II Corinthians 13:5)! On the other hand, our gracious and merciful “good shepherd” (John 10:11) is always nearby to console us and help us and guide us and bless us; thus, James exhorts us to “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10).