Am I a God at hand,
says the LORD,
and not a God afar off?
All Commentaries on Jeremiah 23:23 Go To Jeremiah 23
John Chrysostom
AD 407
If God were distant from us in place, you might well doubt, but he is present everywhere. To him who strives with purposeful intent, God is near. For this reason also the psalmist said, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me,” and God again, “I am a God near at hand and not a God afar off.” Then, just as our sins separate us from him, so do our righteous deeds draw us near to him. “For while you are yet speaking,” it is said, “I will say, ‘Here I am.’ ”