Draw Near
There are many Bible verses that speak of God responding to us. James 4:8 says, “Come near to God, and he will come near to you.” Or Revelation 3:20, where Jesus says, “Here I am. I stand at the door knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Or Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Verses like this are great. God hears us. But if we're not careful, we can understand verses like this as God being distant and standing by and not engaging until we take action. He won't come near and help and comfort until we act first. So if something good is going to happen, it's really up to me.
And yet, there are many more passages that tell us that it's God who initiates action toward us. Verses like 1 John 4:19, tell us that the reason we love is because God first loved us. Or Jesus' words in John 6:44, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them.
So, how does this all work and why is it important? My understanding is that, first of all, God is closer to his children than we can know. He is constantly guarding and guiding. God is involved and working in every aspect of our lives. From beginning to end he is a good father that works all things for the good of his children.
And part of the good things that God is working or developing is children who actually want what he wants. God is moving us toward a relationship where we are experiencing him and being satisfied in him and loving his loving purposes. He wants not just compliant and obedient children. He wants our hearts to connect with his.
So he is the decisive one who acts first. He came here to be our champion, absorbing the consequences of our rebellion and killing sin for us. And now, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, he is prodding his children to come closer.
It's as if he's saying, stop doing it your way, come to me. Come near to me and I will show you my comfort. If you open the door, I will come in and fellowship with you. If you seek me, not the fulfillment of this world, you will find me.
Verses like the ones we started with are not there to say that God is helpless unless we do our part. These verses are showing us how much God wants to be everything for us.
Here's the last example I'll give. Just before Jesus went to the cross, he was comforting the disciples and explaining what was to come. In his final words to them, he said this, I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing. That's John 15:5.
Jesus doesn't want his children to abandon hope. Rather, abide in him and bear fruit. So here it is again: If you abide in Jesus, you will be fruitful.
Kind Father, it's amazing that you want a loving relationship with those who often push you away. I'm sorry for looking around when I should be looking up. Thank you for pouring your kindness onto me, even when I don't see it. Please cause me to look to you for all that I need.
In closing, I'd like to suggest that you read Psalm 145. It's about how amazing God is. So please prayerfully read and meditate on Psalm 145. Verse 18 hits the mark today.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” So call on him.
Song: Christ, or Else I Die