Draw Near

I was sitting on my bed when Claire Bear, one of our three cats, jumped up and meowed for my attention. I reached to pet her and she stayed just far enough away from me that I could only pet her with my fingertips. Two of our cats are funny that way. They keep me at arm’s length.

This reminded me of how we sometimes relate to other people. We keep people at arm’s length out of fear of being hurt or rejected. Some of us keep God at arm’s length. We’ve had a difficult life and blame God for tragedy. We think He isn’t here, isn’t listening, and doesn’t care. However, God wants us to talk to him. He wants us to pray without ceasing.

Pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

He wants us to draw near to Him.

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

James 4:8

 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

He wants us to seek His will in every situation.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5

It can be tough to draw near to God. People have let us down and hurt us. We think God will do the same. Or maybe we wonder how God could have let bad things happen to us. It is important to remember and understand that God isn’t the author of sin. He did not cause the bad things to happen to you. That is not his nature.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.

1 John 3:5

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

1 Peter 2:22

Some of these verses refer to Jesus. God is a triune God, three in one; He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The truth is that we live in a fallen world full of sin.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:23

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Romans 5:12

Since God is holy and sinless, and yet the world is full of sinful people, where does all that sin come from? Who is the author of the sin?

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 8:44

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8

And God can use all the bad things that have happen and work them into something good for His glory. He promises to do this for those who believe in Jesus.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Therefore, if you can remember that Satan is the author of sin, that God is sinless and His ways are perfect, I hope that this line of thinking can help you draw near to God. If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your savior, I encourage you to do so now. You can do this by praying something like this prayer from peacewithgod.net.

Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that You raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do Your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

https://peacewithgod.net/steps/?msclkid=1e19b19910ee12b7b84fd5a214bad9b1

Draw near to God. He is waiting for you. He can fix the brokenness. He can give you peace about your situation.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 14:27

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 26:3