Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8 The statement in the Scripture above is some serious incentive to set lesser things aside and engage The Creator who has invited us into relationship with Him. The nearness of God is absolutely the most wonderful situation that could take place in a person's life. The Apostle Paul said, "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8).

Knowing Jesus is our most precious "possession." He is our all-in-all (Ephesians 1:23). He is the most amazing Person in the universe. First of all, He's never sinned—everybody else has (2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:6). He is called the Cornerstone, the Rock (Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 10:4). His throne will last forever (Hebrews 1:8). His Kingdom will know no end, and it cannot be shaken (Luke 1:33; Hebrews 12:28). He is solid, trustworthy (Revelation 19:11). The verse again reads, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." It is up to us to initiate. It's an opportunity, as an act of our will, to say, "Jesus, I commit and recommit. I dedicate and rededicate myself to Your purposes and plans. But, more important, I do so to You in my relationship with You."

I hope you are catching even the tiniest inkling of this indescribable gift that we have as believers—to draw near to God—and that you are getting excited about it! Let this reality stir you to draw nearer to God in deeper fellowship and a real closeness with Jesus. Then just watch what He does. God will draw near to you. We take baby steps and in response He travels the expanse of time and all creation. We inch towards Him and zoom! here He is—near to us (Jeremiah 23:23-24).

Press on—and near!
Pastor Jeff





© 2007 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.