Drawing Near to God 2

by HJS

Do you ever wish that you could really know God? The old English hymnist Ian McPherson did when he wrote, "If I but knew thee as thou art, O loveliness unknown,/ with what desire, O Lord, my heart would claim thee for its own." The theme is the cry of the heart to know God as He really is, not as we suppose Him to be.

The New Testament book of James contains a great promise: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8 NKJV). When those obstacles keep you from drawing near to the Father are pushed aside, He receives you with open arms.

Immediately following the statement about drawing near to God, James has some pretty straight advice. He says, "Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." What does that mean? Far more than just soaping your hands nd wiping them clean on a towel. Two steps: First, "wash your hands" means get rid of the wrongs that separate you from God - those obstacles you have placed in the path to God; The Bible calls them "sins." Then make the decision to reach out to God. James talks about being "double-minded" - a kind of spiritual schizophrenia that a lot of people possess. They would like to reach out to God, but at the same time they want to hold on to the world.

A. W. Tozer wrote, "The man who would know God must give time to him." If you want to know God, take time to read His Word. If you want to know God, you must also take time to meditate on Him, to learn that prayer is communion with Him, and that He hears the cry of His child reaching out to Him. 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  JEREMIAH 29:13