Message topic: Draw near to God
Scripture text: Jeremiah 29:10-14
Why are we called to draw near to God? So, what do we hope to gain by being near to God who is wise and Holy in all His ways?
Drawing near to God, gives peace to our souls; peace from the burden of our sins and peace in the midst of the burdens that comes to us through others sins as well. The nearness of God is our only way to be at peace through all the obstacle of life we face daily.
Since we have confidence to enter the most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with s sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings; having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:20-22)
Draw near to God. Every story the Bible contains, has an overarching theme running through it: the heartbeats of God have a relationship with His children. When He formed Adam from the dust and Eve from his rib, He uniquely set His image inside all people.
No other facet of creation bears that special mark of God, no matter how glorious it is, from lowest Valley to the angels of heaven. His image is a bit of a mystery and can be hard for us to discern. I imagine the muddiness of sin has something to do with our loss of perceptive.
Regardless of what exactly God’s image inside us is, it calls us back to Himself, and His call is for us to draw into His presence because it is what we were made for.
In the earliest days after creation, God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. They shared God’s presence without hindrance between them. Once sin entered the world, that fellowship was broken.
When God began rebuilding the people of Israel after their slavery in Egypt, God said this to Moses and Aaron, draw near to the alter and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and bring the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as the Lord has commanded. (Leviticus 9: 6-7)
How are we called to draw near to God? One of the first ways people were directed to draw near to God was through admitting their sins, agreeing with the truth that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6: 23) through an animal sacrifice. This sacrifice was meant to show an agreement with God over the gravity of their sin and the need for their sin to be atoned or paid for.
In Psalms, we see David pleading for God to draw near to him as his soul is overwhelmed with the pressures of his enemies. Draw near to my soul, redeem me: ransom me because of my enemies (Psalm 69: 18.)
In the New Testament, we are all advised: Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4: 16).
Drawing near to God gives peace to our souls; peace from the burden of our sins and peace in the midst of the burdens that come to us through others sin as well. The nearness of God is our answer His nearness is our need.
But as for me, the nearness of God is good for me; I have made the Lord God my refuge, so that I may tell of all your works (Psalm 73:28)
Drawing near to God is good for our souls because it is in our design to be close to the One who created us. So how do we draw near to God when everything else in life distracts us away from him? here are three ways Scripture beckons us to draw closer to God. Draw near to God in truth:
The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them (Psalm 145: 18-19)
God is not impressed with us trying to be more than we are, or trying to justify ourselves before Him. He is near to us when we are honest about ourselves. Jesus said that truth bring freedom (John 8: 32) when we are honest and truthful. God draws near to us, and just as God embodies the epitome of live or peace, He is freedom, His nearness automatically brings with it the freedom our souls long for.
We must first draw near to God with a sincere- hearts; the word sincere means true or dependable: a true heart is every believers responsibility when gathering together with other believers as a church family.
We need true hearts to please God; a true heart is also undivided. The psalmist asked, who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart. (psalm 24: 3-4) First Chronicles 12:33 mentions 50,000 soldiers who drew up in battle array and helped David with an undivided heart. A true heart is not divided between God and the world, but is wholly dedicated to him alone. In repentance, David prayed, behold, you desire truth in the innermost being” (Ps. 51-6)
We must draw near with confident Faith: The second condition to acceptable worship is coming to God in full assurance of faith. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him; to worship in faith is to come with a seeking heart that rests in the merit of Christ alone.
How are we called to draw near to God?
One of the first ways people were directed to draw near to God was through admitting their sin, agreeing with the truth that the wages of sin is death; (Romans 6: 23) through an animal sacrifice, this sacrifice was meant to show an agreement with God over the gravity of their sin and the need for their sin to be atoned or paid for. In psalm, we see David pleading for God to draw near to him as his soul is overwhelmed with the pressures of his enemies.
Draw near to my soul, redeem me, ransom me because of my enemies! (Psalms 69: 18)
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. draw near to God gives peace to our souls; peace from the burden of our sins, and peace in the midst of the burdens that come to us through others’ sin as well. The nearness of God is our answer.
His nearness is our need: but as for me, the nearness of God is good for me; I have made the Lord God my refuge, so that I may tell of all your works.
A prayer to draw near to God.
Father, Thank you for giving us your word so that we can learn about you. Thank you that you are loving, faithful, constant, and all powerful. Thank you that you make all things work together for our good, even when we don’t make the best choices.
Thank you for Jesus who justifies us and makes it possible for us to have a relationship with you. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who intercedes for us: thank you for letting us be part of the body of Christ, sharing our burdens together to your glory, thank you for helping us daily.