February 5
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8
Why don’t we draw near to God? Why isn’t every Christian every day trying to draw near to God as much as possible? Why does God seem so very distant to us so much of the time? Is it an attitude in my heart? Is it my busy schedule? Is it possible He doesn’t like me or want to be with me? Is it who I am, a second class citizen of heaven who isn’t good enough to be close to God like other people I know or have heard of? Is it sin in my life? Is it because deep down in my heart, I really don’t want to? Is it because I didn’t know God wanted me to draw near to Him and that it is an option for me? Is it because I don’t know how?
Let’s tackle some of the reasons why Christians don’t set themselves to draw near to God every chance we get. First, be certain that God wants you to do this. James commands us to do this! And it is not for just the “special” Christians among us, and no, there are no second class citizens of heaven. Maybe they got to be “special” because they set themselves to drawing hear to God! Be assured that it is possible to draw near to God and that God wants you to do this all the time.
Obviously, sin causes a break in our fellowship with God. When we sin, we are running away from Him, just the opposite of drawing near. Fleeing temptation and gaining the victory over our sins is the first and most important step in drawing hear to God. Business and just not thinking about it are also huge detractors from drawing near. Learning the practice of repeatedly asking what is the Lord’s will for me today, even this minute, as we discussed yesterday, is a good way to draw near to God.
Prayer and Bible study with meditation, as we discussed in January, are also means to draw near. Giving thanks and appreciating God and all the wonderful things He has done for us are further ways to draw near. And if at anytime you are doubt as to how to draw near to Him, you can ask Him to show you what you should do or not do to draw near to Him. He will answer those prayers, and He will be found by anyone who diligently seeks Him.
That is the amazing thing to me, that He even wants us to draw near and is even willing to draw near to us! Think about it for a minute, the God who created everything there is and oversees the entire universe wants to spend time with you and be near you and be in you! What humility! What self-abasement and effacement! Think about having an all powerful, all knowing protector by your side guiding you every step of the way and keeping you on a path to prosper and bless you!
We will continue this important discussion tomorrow.