He is a refuge to run to
His nearness is not only comfort, it is shelter. God makes Himself a refuge you can run into, a strong place to take everything you are carrying. That means nearness is something you can act on, not just feel. When the week has worn you down, you do not have to white-knuckle it alone or keep it all in. You can come to Him, pour it out, and take cover in who He is. Today, name what is heaviest and bring it straight to Him. The God who is near is also a refuge, and the door is open.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress.
Psalm 91:1-2 · ASVThe psalm calls God a refuge and fortress, a secret place of shelter under the Most High. Nearness here is depicted as protection one takes shelter in.
But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge.
Psalm 73:28 · ASVAsaph concludes that it is good to draw near unto God and makes Him his refuge. Drawing near is the response, and refuge is what he finds there.
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10 · ASVSolomon pictures the name of Jehovah as a strong tower that the righteous run into and are safe. Safety is found by moving toward God, as one runs inside protective walls.
Trust in him at all times, ye people; pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:8 · ASVDavid urges the people to pour out their heart before God, who is a refuge for them. The verse invites complete honesty before God on the grounds that He is a safe refuge.