On Drawing Near to God…

 

Yesterday I wrote on this verse from Psalm 37 and was given ample opportunity to practice it throughout the course of the day. 

Trust in the LORD, and do good;—Psalm 37:3a

Here is what I learned.  Choosing to actively practice doing good really helped me press on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus…Christlikeness. I also learned in a deeper kind of way something I already knew.  In order to trust Him and do good, I had to go to Him. I had to first draw near to Him. Which brings me to the verse I read in James this morning. 

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.—James 4:8a

The amazing thing here is that my God WANTS me to draw near to Him. Even more amazing is the fact that when I do, He promises to draw near to me.  Even more amazing than the first two “amazings” is the fact that when I draw near His forgiveness and love never fail to bring comfort, peace and healing to my heart. Looking to my God does not bring shame but lightness and relief.  (Psalm 34:5)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.—1 John 1:9

Surely He has borne our griefs

And carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten by God, and afflicted.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;

We have turned, every one, to his own way;

And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.—Isaiah 53:4-6

Beloved… the goodness of God endures continually. Our faith in Christ gives us sufficient courage to freely and openly approach God.  Through faith in Jesus we have boldness and access with confidence.  The Bible does not say to draw near to God and He might draw near to You.  It says He will draw near to you. He promises to!  His word which endures forever, tells us so. 

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."—Matthew 11:28:30

And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.—2 Chronicles 15:2

Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Return to Me," says the LORD of hosts, "and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts.—Zechariah 1:3

Yet from the days of your fathers

You have gone away from My ordinances

And have not kept them.

Return to Me, and I will return to you,"

Says the LORD of hosts.—Malachi 3:7

for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.—Hebrews 7:19