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"A PEOPLE NEAR UNTO HIM" "He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 148:14) Israel is described here as a people "near to Him," highlighting the special covenant relationship between God and the nation of Israel. This nearness is not just geographical but relational, signifying intimacy and favor. Israel's nearness to God is a reminder of the intimate relationship we as Christians enjoy through Jesus Christ.I love this entire Psalm because it begins in verse 1 and ends in verse 14 with the same words that should continually be on the lips of God's children, "Praise ye the LORD." There are some great truths in this Psalm that are praiseworthy, but let's consider those 5 words found in verse 14 here, "a people near unto him."Under the old covenant, a relationship with God was one of distance. When God appeared to Moses, He said, "Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." (Exodus 3:5) Again, when we read where God manifested Himself upon Mount Sinai, we hear Him declare to Moses concerning those chosen ones gathered there, "And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about." (Exodus 19:12a) On and on we find in the Old Testament practices, be it in the Tabernacle or in the Temple, people were reminded when approaching nigh to the Holiness of the Great God of Heaven, that the message of distance was a very prominent one. And folks, that's all the Law could do! It showed us our transgressions. It showed us our iniquities. It showed us our sin, but it could NEVER take them away. Oh. what a blessed day it was when Jesus came to establish a new covenant. Hear John the Baptist say, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:17) Hear him again a few verses later declare, "...Behold the Lamb of God, which TAKETH AWAY the sin of the world." (John 1:29b} {caps mine} Read what the Apostle Paul wrote about the nearness of God that we now enjoy, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:13)Friends, no longer do we hear those words, "Draw not nigh hither." No longer are there "set bounds unto the people" in our approach to God. As saints of our Heavenly Father, we are not only DEAR unto Him; but because of the Lord Jesus, we are also "a people NEAR unto him." No wonder the Psalmist cries out, "Praise ye the LORD."