Daily Digest: Capstone Capsule

“DRAW NEAR to GOD and He will draw near to you. CLEANSE your HANDS, you sinners; and PURIFY your HEARTS, you double-minded” – James 4:8

The abhorrence of pride and a passionate pursuit of Purity are inseparable from DIVINE INTIMACY for IMPACT: “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). This powerful verse of scripture directly encourages Believers in Christ to actively pursue Intimate Friendship with God – the foundation of a fulfilling and impactful Christian life. The more we seek a closer communion with Him, the closer He will come to us in response. Intimacy with God is not a passive experience, but a mutually reciprocal act where we actively "draw near" to Him, and He responds by drawing near to us: “But from there you will SEEK the Lord your God, and you will FIND Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deut.4:29).

We are so incredibly blessed that God desires to come close to us! But, in order to know God deeper, we must actively seek Him. As we are getting closer to God, He will respond by moving closer to us. However, drawing near to God means that we have a strong desire for holiness; a longing to submit to Him and to follow where He leads; and a desire to know His Word and apply it to our lives. A genuine hunger to be cleansed from sin and walk in purity is absolutely crucial for true Intimacy with God. Psalm 24 underlines this same theme: “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean HANDS and a pure HEART, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation” (Psa.24: 3-4).

Divine Intimacy is a call to intentionally and decisively cultivate a deep, personal communion with God through prayer, reflection, and obedience. God desires closer relationship and fellowship with us, and is willing to meet us where we are if we actively seek Him: “And you will SEEK Me and FIND Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer.29:13). There is no place for pride or double-mindedness. A double-minded person is drawn in opposing directions and will get nowhere because his loyalty is divided and he vacillates between faith and unbelief. We cannot serve two masters. We must choose to follow God and leave anything that distracts us from Him.

Beloved, what is stopping you from drawing near to Christ? What are you placing above Him that is hindering you to fully run after God and passionately embrace Him? What do you need to release so that you can devote everything in you to Him? Examine your heart, motives, and actions. What needs to change? It’s your Season of Divine Intimacy!