DARING TO DRAW NEAR
Can you remember the last time you caught a glimpse of God? Was it this morning? Last week? Two years ago? You might have been reading some portion of Scripture or during a time of prayer or during Sunday School. Possibly, you were doing the dishes, feeding the baby, or taking a walk when suddenly, maybe unexpectedly, you caught a glimpse of God, and you were encouraged to draw near to Him. You may have caught a fresh insight into His love, His greatness, or His holiness. What you experienced made a difference in your life!
Do you know that God loves to reveal Himself to those who obey Him and are earnestly longing to know Him? “The one who obeys me is the one who loves me; and because he loves me, my Father will love him; and I will too, and I will reveal myself to him.” (John 14:21, The Living Bible).
To draw near to God is to simply open our hearts and minds to what was always there. God never withholds His presence from us, though He never forces us to abide in Him. But even if we choose to go our own way, which we often do, God patiently waits for us to turn our hearts back to Him. When we do, God is there to fill us with a fresh revelation of His loving presence and unwavering devotion.
People who draw near to God intercede for the people that God has entrusted to them. Moses enjoyed the presence of God and gave him the 10 commandments. However, soon God’s anger burned against the people of Israel who were worshipping a golden calf and God intended to destroy them (Exodus 32:7-14). After Moses returned to the people, he smashed the 10 commandment in anger and destroyed the golden calf. Moses then returned to the Lord to attempt to make atonement for the sins of the Israelites (Exodus 32:30-32). Are we concerned enough to stand with and for those who are under judgment of God? Do we love God’s people in spite of what we see in their lives? Are we willing to stand in the gap for our family members, friends, neighbors, and work associates?
People who draw near to God always want more. Moses received his first glimpse of the glory of God in Exodus 3:2 at the burning bush. This is the first record in Scripture of God abiding or dwelling in something. Because of God’s presence (fire), the bush glowed as no other bush has ever glowed. Isn’t it strange that our magnificent God would use such a common, ordinary thing to reveal Himself to man. There is still hope for us! As Moses spent time with God, he increasingly wanted more. In Exodus 33:13, Moses said, “Let me know Your ways that I may know You.” Then in Exodus 33:18 Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” Are you spending more time with the Lord and with His Word or less time than you did last month or last year?
Finally, people who draw near to God are changed to reflect more of his character and glory. Moses lingered with God until the glow of God’s presence burned in his soul like fire and shinned on his face like the sun. Everyone knew that this man had been with God. Can people sense that you were in the presence of God by your speech and your actions? Paul pictures this transformation in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
God’s heart and His Word never change. In Revelation 3:20 (NIRV), Jesus invites us to draw near. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in. I will eat with that person, and they will eat with me.” Will you accept His invitation today?
