November 12, 2018

If we could comprehend this invitation in its entirety we would not just draw near, we would run to Him. It is not just a command that requires action, but it is a promise from our heavenly Father to draw near to us if we draw near to Him. He longs to have a personal and intimate relationship with you and with me. And He is patiently waiting for us to respond to this invitation. Drawing near to God is essential to our Christian walk with Him. If we, on a daily basis, are not drawing closer to Him, then we are growing further apart from Him.

Throughout the entire Bible, we see God as one who longs for a personal relationship with His people. From the very beginning, He is the one pursuing that relationship, beginning with the creation of man. In Genesis 3:8, we see that God walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. But when they sinned, they hid from Him. The Lord God called to the man, saying, “Where are you?” Can you hear the desperation, the pain, and the anguish in His voice? God called out to man whom He created to have a personal relationship with; but something was very different in man’s relationship with the Father, for sin had entered the heart of man, and thus separated him from God. When the relationship with God and man was severed through sin, God continued to reach out to His people…

“We are dead in trespasses and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1)

“And thus, death spread to all men, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12)

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

God the Father, in His sovereignty, love, grace and mercy, wanted so greatly to restore His relationship with His children. He loved us so dearly that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die for our sins.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”(John 3:16).

In this new restoration between the Father and His children, we now come to the Him through His Son Jesus. “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”(Romans 10:9). “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).

So how do we draw near to God? Let us look at the scriptures. James 4:4-10 tells us that, “friendship with the world is enmity towards God.” God jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us. So, we begin by turning our hearts from the world and towards Him. We are to humble ourselves, submit to God, cleanse our hands, and purify our hearts. If we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, He will lift us up. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you! We MUST get into the secret place with Him. Close the door and seek His face through His Word, through prayer, and through worship. But it must not stop there; be silent and allow Him to speak back to you! Just as a man who is deeply in love will do anything he can to spend as much time as possible with the one he loves and adores, this is the heart of the Father for us. He went through great lengths to try to bring us back to a place where we could once again have constant communion with Him. God loves us so much that He pursues us, hoping that we will respond and pursue Him, seek His face, and draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us and have an intimate relationship with us.

Dearly beloved, can you hear the Lord calling? “Where are you? My son, my daughter… Where are you? I long to spend time with you, my heart’s desire is to be close to you, to show you My fullness, to show you My glory, and My love for you. Child, where are you? Oh, how great is My love for you! I am crazy about you. I want to spend every moment with you… Beloved, tell me your fears, your dreams, your heart’s desire! Share with Me your pain, your hurt, and your joy! Come and spend time in my presence! Shut yourself off from this world and come be with Me in the secret place. Where are you, my love, my bride, my precious one? My heart yearns for you! How long must I wait to be alone with you? Come meet Me in the secret place My love. I am waiting for you!!!!”