dispute it. This is treated at length in the discussion of nearness. On this understanding, the Lord Himself is present with His servant, apart from what is within the servant’s own soul. He has said:

“Whoever draws near to Me by a handspan, I draw near to him by a cubit. Whoever draws near to Me by a cubit, I draw near to him by an armspan. Whoever comes to Me walking, I come to him at a run.”

He also said:

“I am with those whose hearts are broken for My sake. I draw nearer to them by a handspan each day; were it not for that, they would burn.”

This can be understood in accordance with either view. Those holding the former view say that the Lord Himself draws near to His servant, distinct from the servant’s drawing near to his Lord that He enables him to undertake. The latter, however, say that when the servant draws near to his Lord, He rewards him with what He enables him to attain