Draw Near to God

To Whom Does God Draw Near?

Ken

“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (James 4:8 KJV). But, how do you draw near to a Holy God? “Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (4:8). Flee known sin with abandon through repentance. Do you desire God’s presence closer to you? Only the Holy Spirit would place that desire in your heart. Fear and doubt better serve the Devil, when we wonder, if God can be trusted so much or at all. James instructs that anyone can quickly clarify their relationship to God. “Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (4:8). It is like the sign next to the kitchen sink in the Fellowship Hall at Church: “Clean hands and a pure heart. Thanks! God.”

Instead of waiting for God to draw closer to you, take that thought as the Spirit of God already dealing with your heart. It is your move to respond to Him. As you make any effort to draw closer to Him in repentance, faith, prayer, seeking Him through His Word, attempting to serve Him — He will be responding to you. 

  1. Drawing near to God through trust enables us to better testify of Him. “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Thy works” (Psalm 73:28). 
  2. The LORD comforts those who trust Him with His presence. “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). 
  3. God addresses the never repentant ones with disgust. “Look, you scoffers; be amazed and perish! For I am doing a work in your days, a work you would never believe, even if someone tells you” (Acts 13:41 NET). 

Father, may we not be among the scoffers, but may we be awakened that You have already made Your move toward us. Help us to respond in faith. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

An Angel or Premonition

Ken

Most workplace accident investigations look for cause and effect, and will normally find a human responsible, making the accident preventable. Though insurance companies do list “act of God” as a reason for lack of coverage, it is not due to any religious belief in God, but a simple admission of a natural event beyond the reasonable control of a party. A New Jersey (USA) toll booth worker called out of work due to a “gut feeling” something bad was going to happen. Two disturbing dreams awoke her, so she called out. Only hours later did a garbage truck crash into the collection booth, in which she normally would be working, seriously injuring the driver and toll collector. Whether it was an angel or premonition, she had recently been drawing closer to God. “Are they [angels] not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14 KJV). We need to pay closer attention to God and His Unseen Realm, for it is He “with whom we have to do” (4:13). LORD, help us to draw near to You, for then we know You draw nearer to us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.