DRAW NEAR TO HIM

​​During our monthly fast, this month, we are focusing on drawing near to GOD. James 4:8 reads
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​Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…. (NKJV)

​The Greek word for the phrase “to draw near” is engizō (G1448), which means to draw, come, or bring near. Here, GOD is asking us to come even closer to HIM. Not just in a physical way but emotionally and spiritually. One commentary puts it this way. ​Here, GOD is extending to us an invitation and a promise. 

​​We need to be mindful that drawing near to GOD is completely different from submitting to HIM. Yet, we as Christians, often treat this phrase – “draw near to GOD,” as if it is the same thing as submitting to GOD. We use this term - drawing near to GOD and the act of submitting to GOD as if they are interchangeable when they are not. So, what does it mean to draw near to GOD? Well, let’s look at two specific areas in our lives to get a better understanding of this phrase. ​
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draw close to god

1. Seeking GOD’s counsel. Let me explain this by using myself as an example. Over the years, I have had the privilege of speaking into the lives of many different people from many different backgrounds. Often time, these ones seek me for direction, prayer, and even counsel when making small and even very important life-changing or altering decisions. Now, in itself, this is good. For the Scripture advise that less mature individuals and even those who are uncertain about a decision they need to make in life, that these ones should seek the advice of seasoned saints.
 
Proverbs 11:4 puts it this way. 

​Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety (NKJV). 
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​We should never be too prideful to receive suggestions, advise, direction, or counsel, even when it is voluntarily given to us by someone who is more experienced than we are. For this is good for us individually and as a whole (the Body of Christ). Ephesians 4:11-12 explains it this way. 
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 And He Himself (GOD) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…. (NKJV)
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GOD wants to perfect (complete, finish) and edify (build up; to grow in wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness) each one of us. To achieve this, we must be open to the counsel that GOD provides through those HE has placed in our path.
 
So, how does this help us to draw near to GOD? 2 Timothy 3:16 speaks about how all scriptures are profitable (helpful, advantageous), righteous (how we ought to be, acceptable to GOD), and good for us. So, when we encounter a seasoned and mature man or woman of GOD who is rooted in GOD’s Word, when we allow these individuals to speak life into our situations and or decisions we must make. It is like what is said at 2 Timothy 3:16. GOD breathes on us through these righteous men and women, who provide us insight, impart wisdom, give us counsel or correction, or wise direction. So that, we as individuals may be made complete, and thoroughly equipped for every good work before a holy and righteous GOD.
 
We become more dependent on GOD’s method of instructing us through earthly vessels that HE is using and not solely dependent on our head knowledge, research, heart (emotions or feelings), gut (intuition or discernment), or what we see or hear, which all can be misleading if these areas are not built upon the foundation of Christ. 

And this leads us to our second area. 

​2. Drawing near to GOD. Drawing near to GOD means that we enjoy communion with HIM. Let me ask you this to help you appreciate and understand the point I am making here. 
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Here’s my question, which might sound a little absurd (ridiculous, unreasonable, unsound) if you only look at the question from the surface level. Can you see GOD?
 
Now, when I first asked that question, what was the first thing that came to your mind? Write it down. Now, what was the second thing that came to your mind? Now, write that down too. Now, when I get done explaining the answer to my question, go back and compare my explanation to your initial 2 answers. 

DO YOU SEE GOD
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For most of you, when I asked that question, your minds probably immediately thought I was asking, can you see GOD with your natural eyes? Although that is one way to look at that question. That is not what I am asking.

Now, most of us have at least one very close friend. You may refer to this friend as your BFF (best friend forever), brother, sister, or as your ride-or-die partner. This person you know, you can count on through thick and thin. This person will do anything for you. Therefore, that relationship, that person is extremely important to you. As a result, you share almost, if not everything with that person. You enjoy his or her company and always look forward to talking with or hanging out with this individual. Sometimes, you cannot wait to see him or her.

Now, what I described in the previous paragraph about your BFF, is this the same way you feel about communion (communicating) with GOD? 
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• Can you not wait to hear from HIM or talk with HIM?
• Are you excited about the next time you get to sit down and read HIS Word – HIS letter to you?
• Do you miss HIM whenever you don’t hear from HIM or when your schedule becomes too busy and you miss your prayer time or Bible reading/studying time with HIM?
• Do you even see yourself doing these things with HIM? Or, is your study/reading time just about you doing it alone? Is your prayer time just a random long list of things you want from HIM to do for you and it is not a conversation about random things that are going on in your life as well as HIS? Yes, GOD does have a life. I’m just saying.

Let’s understand this on a deeper level. Notice what GOD called Abraham at Isaiah 41:8. 

​But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend (NKJV). (See also 2 Chronicles 20:7 and James 2:23).
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Did you notice the distinction being made here? GOD referred to Israel or Jacob as HIS servant. But concerning Abraham, GOD called Abraham HIS friend.

​Friendship does not come easy. And a good, healthy friendship will cost you something. Friendship requires work – a lot of it and hard work at times to maintain such relationships in the long run. Each individual must invest in it as well as devote their personal time, energy, commitment, heart, emotion, resources, and funds to make it work. Even more so, each individual must sacrifice some things for a relationship to develop into a thriving friendship. And yet, GOD said about Abraham – “… And he was called the friend of God….”
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Are you GOD’s friend or just another servant of GOD?
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If we or even HIM, still see ourselves as just HIS servant, then we definitely need to work on drawing closer to GOD. It should be our deepest desire to earn that friend status with GOD, to the point where we truly can see HIM in our lives like we see our BFF.