“…it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Thy works.” Psalm 73:28
Dear Ones:
In the epistle of James, he writes by the Spirit of God, “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” (4:8) What does he, and the psalmist, mean by “drawing nigh to God?” How does one draw nigh, or approach, One that is omnipresent, in every place at all times? And secondly, how can mortal man know what it means to truly draw nigh, or near, to God? The answer lies in two things. The first concerns a foundation, or certain basis, by which a sinner can “come” to God, know the reality of God’s working in the heart, and then know the reality of His presence. Paul would put it like this, “…that I may know Him, and the power of HIs resurrection.” (Phil. 3:10)
The second reason for which a person can draw nigh to God has to do with faith, faith in the faithfulness of God. The experiences of believers throughout history have varied, sometimes radically different. However, common to every person who has come to know the reality, certainty, and experience of God’s presence, has been the issue of faith. It is not a “faith” derived from men, but one given by God in answer to the cry of the heart to Him. All through Scripture, we find the simple, and yet, basic and effective principle, that if one calls upon God with the whole heart, He answers. In the matter of salvation, the Lord, through the Apostle Paul, said: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) In the book of Jeremiah, the Lord tells Jeremiah: “Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.” (Jer. 33:3) In both of these instances, the individual calls upon God, one for salvation, and the other in order to receive the knowledge of the will of God with regard to what He is going to do. So, what is the basis for being able to truly “draw near” to God, to come with assurance into His presence, and, by the Spirit of God, worship Him in Spirit and truth? And secondly, how is this maintained, lived every day?
There is but one basis, one reason, for which a sinner can even begin to contemplate coming to God, to know His presence. It is the precious blood of Christ. It was with His own blood, shed on Calvary, that the Lord Jesus entered into heaven itself, there to present it to God the Father on our behalf. Why? Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission or forgiveness of sin. The perfect LIFE of Christ in the blood, His perfect righteousness, is there presented to the Father for us, so that the Father can and will forgive, and forget sin. Not only that, but He accepts the believer in Jesus’ name. The new and living way that Jesus created into the very presence of God, to the closest proximity to God that a believer can know and experience, is settled in heaven, available for every believer to use…and use well, and often.
The issue of faith is essential to knowing the reality of the presence of God. Again, God gives faith in answer to our call. Paul writes, “…And how shall they CALL on Him in whom they have not believed?” (Rom. 10:14) The earnest call of the heart is the act of opening the heart to God, to receive “proximity” faith, a faith to believe in the very presence of God. Jesus told His disciples to, “…pray to thy Father which seeth in secret.” (Matt. 6:6) What is the “reward” of which Jesus speaks, which will follow? It is found in His words: “…I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him…My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (Jn. 14:21,23) Nearness to God is the awareness, and conviction, of His presence and blessing.
Dear Father, Give us grace to LIVE in Thy presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad