The Helix Nebula, also known as The Helix or NGC 7293, is a large planetary nebula (PN) located in the constellation of Aquarius. Discovered by Karl Ludwig Harding, probably before 1824, this object is one of the closest to the Earth of all the bright planetary nebulae.[7] The estimated distance is about 215 parsecs or 700 light-years. It is similar in appearance to the Ring Nebula, whose size, age, and physical characteristics are similar to the Dumbbell Nebula, varying only in its relative proximity and the appearance from the equatorial viewing angle.[2] The Helix has often been referred to as the Eye of God on the Internet, since about 2003.
“The Lord is NEAR to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)Do you remember the words to the old 80’s song by Bette Midler, God is Watching Us? It says, “God is watching us, from a distance…” It was a nice little song that made everyone feel good to know that somewhere, out there, God is watching us...from a distance. And as heart-warming as that song may have been, it doesn’t accurately describe the God of the Bible. God is NOT watching us “from a distance.” And the sad thing is, there are many people who have that kind of a concept of God, that He’s just out there somewhere in outer space, and He may or may not be interested in the affairs of human beings down here on Planet Earth. Today, I want to show you – from the Scriptures – a different view of the God of the Bible.Our key Scripture in Psalm 34:18 tells us that the Lord is NEAR those who have a broken heart. Do you know the difference between near and far? Let me help you to understand. Remember when you were a child, and you watched Sesame Street, and Grover or someone would teach about opposites? Picture the blue furry little puppet Grover running right up to the TV screen and saying, “NEAR!” Then he would run back as far away from the screen as he could until he was just a little blue dot in the distance, and shout, “FAR!” Yes, near and far. Opposites. And God is not far away, watching us from a distance. He is near. “We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” (Psalm 75:1). “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18).Is this not good news? The God of the Bible is not a God who is far off – a God who cannot be touched with the feelings of our weaknesses. He is a God who came near in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. Hebrews 2:17-18 says, “Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. He then could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted.” Jesus knows what you’re going through – He understands.
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