Day 05 | MONDAY, AUGUST 25
Written by Jana Howerton
DRAW NEAR TO GOD, AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU.
JAMES 4:8
DRAW NEAR
One moment in God’s presence can change everything. We see this in the lives of Moses (Exodus 3:1-2), the disciples (Mark 1:16-20), Paul (Acts 9), and countless others in Scripture (Hebrews 11).
When God appeared to Moses in a burning bush, Moses was just doing what he was always doing—tending sheep in the wilderness. All Moses really did was draw near, and when he did, God called him not only to lead His people out of slavery but to walk in a deep and intimate relationship with Him. That one step of obedience didn’t just change Moses’ life; it shifted the course of history.
Some of the disciples were fishing when we meet them in the book of Mark. They were ordinary men doing their ordinary daily work when Jesus walked by and said, “Follow me,” and they did.
They left everything and followed Him. They didn’t have any special qualifications or anything that really set them apart. But they had hearts willing to respond to Jesus’ voice.
Paul was on his way to persecute Christians when a light from Heaven blinded him, and God, being rich in mercy, healed his sight and gave him “eyes to see” the truth of the gospel.
By faith, the saints of Hebrews 11 stepped into the callings that God set before them—and found Him to be faithful every time.
God called each person to take one step toward Him, and as they obeyed and drew near, their lives were never the same. The same God who spoke to them then is the same God who calls to you now.
Our God wants to know you. He wants to speak to you. He wants you to encounter Him. When we draw near to God, He draws near to us. It is so simple, yet profound: God goes where He is wanted. How desperately do you want Him?
PRAY
Father, create in us hearts that long for you.
We pray that you will stir our affections for more of you. Increase our hearts’ capacity to know and love you.
We want to encounter you, Lord, and may we never be the same.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
