“Yes, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3
Dear Ones:
When Moses was next to Mount Horeb, before he was called to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, the Lord revealed Himself to him in a burning bush. When Moses saw it, he said: “I will now turn aside, and see this great sight why the bush is not burnt.” (Ex. 3:3) God knew Moses, and also, exactly what would arrest his attention. God was drawing him, in order to speak to him. The timing is impeccable. The circumstances are perfect. And Moses is a man ready to SEE, HEAR, and RESPOND to the revelation.
Jesus once said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him.” (Jn. 6:44) What does it mean to be “drawn” by God? There is certainly the first aspect of arresting the attention of the one being drawn. God does something, either through circumstances, other people, or His word, to awaken the individual to an awareness that God is present, and that God is working. A second characteristic of being drawn is the desire given by God. One is attracted to the things of God, to Christ Himself. Sometimes this is not recognizable, as the person does not know what, or who, she or he is seeking. However, the attraction remains, and the purpose of that drawing is the revelation of Christ to the heart.
When the prodigal son was in the far country, in misery, he was “drawn” to his father’s house. When Israel was in exile, she was drawn to her own country, but primarily to the One who she had forsaken. Being drawn to God, by God, is one of the greatest blessings one could possibly have. With the “drawing” comes the declaration by God, “I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” When there is the realization that the Eternal God has set His love upon us, and because of this, is drawing us to Himself, there most certainly will be the prayer: “Draw me…we will RUN after thee.” (Song of Sol. 1:4)
“NOW with a quenchless thirst inspire, a longing, infinite desire, and fill my craving heart. Less than Thyself, oh, do not give, In might Thyself within me live, Come all Thou hast and art.” (Charles Wesley: 1707-1788)
Dear Father in heaven, You have said: “Delight thyself in the Lord, and He will give thee the desires of thy heart.” (Ps. 37:4) Enable us to do this, and give us the great, and all-consuming desires of Thy Son’s heart. Draw out our hearts to You, to Christ, and strengthen us to RUN after Thee. You have said, “Ye shall seek Me, and ye shall find me, when ye search for Me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13) Give us such desire that we shall seek Thee in this manner, and FIND Thee as Thou hast declared. We praise and thank Thee for Thy everlasting love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad