One of the most outstanding scriptural directives with promise is found in James 4:8. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
From the moment when God created man his desire has always been for man to live in a meaningful relationship with him. In the early narrative of Scripture, God is found walking in the Garden pursuing some personal time with Adam and Eve.
Many today would tend to view God as a distant creator – even totally absent! The thought that he should desire to have a relationship with us is something most people find challenging. But it’s true. God wants to enjoy our company. He created us for fellowship. In fact, the central theme of Scripture depicts God in an active pursuit of man. All of his actions focused on trying to bring his family back into relationship with him. (Ex. 19:17; 40:34; John 3:16)
God actively pursued Jacob – the schemer. He had some bigger plans for him. It ended in a wrestling match between him and one of God’s angels. And “Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face to face”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” (Gen. 32:30)
If a celebrity walked into the room and I were able to greet him, I would not expect him to be overly friendly. Why? I’m a total stranger – meeting him for the first time. And besides – who am I? However, if I walk up to that person and he immediately began to call me by name, the whole nature of the encounter would change.
Think of it. The eternal God of heaven desires to meet with you and he knows you by name. He knows all about you. Your successes and your failures. And yet he loves you still. The Bible calls Jesus the shepherd of sheep. We are the sheep. “…the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (John 10:3) Can you believe it! Your shepherd knows you intimately. He knows your name. And he is deeply concerned about everything that concerns you.
Today he desires to fellowship with you – not sporadically – but daily. “Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” (Rev. 3:20 NLT) “The one true sign of discipleship is intimate oneness with Him - a knowledge of Jesus that nothing can shake.” (Oswald Chambers)
God desires for you to “draw near.” And how does one “draw near?” By trusting in Jesus. By intentionally seeking Him. By staying in communion with God through a lifestyle of “prayer without ceasing.” By confessing sin. By reading God’s Word. By loving God and people. By participating in His plan of redemption through Jesus. By the power of his indwelling Holy Spirit.
“O the pure delight of a single hour that before Thy throne I spend. When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God, I commune as friend with friend.” (Fanny Crosby)
Be blessed my friend.
Glen (Pitts)
The Barnabas Group / Loads of Love
Romans 14:8: John 10:1-21; Romans 8:32-39; John 3:16-17; Psalm 139:1-18
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