HUNGER FOR GOD’S NEARNESS

“DRAW NEAR TO GOD and HE WILL DRAW NEAR to you…” – James 4:8a

HUNGER FOR GOD’S NEARNESS is as important as knowing and hoping in it: “DRAW NEAR TO GOD and HE WILL DRAW NEAR to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (Jam.4:8). If we humbly draw near to God, he will reciprocate. We draw near, by spending time with Him, worshipping Him, listening to His Word, praying and talking to Him, inviting Him into every aspect of our lives, following the leading of His Holy Spirit, responding positively to His dealings on all matters, and serving the cause of His Kingdom.

God’s Presence is too precious to be ‘wasted’! His nearness is an invaluable asset! It therefore matters a great deal how we respond to His nearness. We are not alone in our yearning. The nearer we draw near to God, the nearer He draws to us! God seeks for our deep fellowship and intimate relationship. Jesus said: “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the FATHER IS SEEKING SUCH TO WORSHIP HIM. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jh.4:23-24). We must respond with reverence to His nearness!

Drawing near to God demands Hunger and Humility! It takes a ‘hungry heart’ to know God and draw near to Him. Moses hungered and longed for God: “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here” (Exo.33:15b). He realised that nothing else in the world could compare to the experience of being with God. He had lost all appetite for the earthly. David also hungered and thirsted for God, even in the midst of distress: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (Psa.42:1-2). He had a passion for God’s presence. Paul, the apostle also poured out his heart to pursue God’s presence (Phil.3:7-11).

James provides key guidelines for drawing near to God. If you've committed sin, repent of it; confess and get rid of it under the cleansing Blood of Jesus. Keep a short sin account. Next, ask the Lord to examine your heart and motives – why you do what you do. Humbly bring your heart under His lordship so that your actions will manifest a clean heart and conscience. Then, be purified from “double-mindedness.” A double-minded person is drawn in two opposing directions; has divided loyalty; and vacillates between faith and unbelief. He will get nowhere fast because he is unstable in all his ways (Jam.1:7-8). Whoever tries to serve two masters – God and personal interest – will experience an inconsistent spiritual walk.

God doesn't play games! No one can get very far with God by playing spiritual games. There is no room for the lukewarm: “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Rev.3:16). You’re either in or out. And God will always answer and draw near to a heart that draws near to Him. In essence, knowing God intimately requires some effort; but this will really not look like effort in the light of loving Him! It is like the passion of a suitor in pursuit of his beloved bride-to-be! Those who truly love God will always want to know Him more-and-more. We could live a million lifetimes and there would still be more we would like to learn about Him.

Jesus – Emmanuel, God with us – has ripped the veil and opened up a new and living way for me to draw near to God. He gives me permanent and perpetual access to the Father by shedding His blood once and for all (Heb.10:10,20). Oh, how I hunger to know the height, depth, and width of the One who came to redeem me! I want to walk with Him and share my hearts’ concerns. I want to live to please the One who died and rose to give me life and draw me nearer into His holy embrace!