Tuesday, May 4, 2010

An Encouraging Promise

The book of James contains one of the most encouraging promises I've ever read in the Bible. Consider the following statement from James chapter 4:
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." (James 4:8)

This amazing Biblical promise can provide great encouragement for many different types of people. First, for the true Christian who desires (above all else) to be near to the Lord and to experience His glory, this is an absolute Holy Spirit-inspired promise that God will draw near to you if you draw near to Him. Now of course that doesn't mean God is just sitting there waiting to do our bidding and will come immediately whenever we want Him to, but it is a promise that He will not forsake those who continue to draw near to Him. And what I have found in my own experience is that the Lord is very merciful and many times will draw near to you without delay, especially when you really need to experience His presence.

For Christians who have grown distant from the Lord and greatly desire to be near to Him again, this statement is equally encouraging. Just as the persistent widow was eventually granted justice against her adversary (Luke 18), God will draw near to you and restore your intimate relationship with Him if you persist in seeking Him. From my own experience, this can certainly take a while, but it is infinitely worth it! And because it can be such a painful process to grow close to the Lord again, you are greatly motivated to not ever let this happen again!

Finally, for those who do not yet know the Lord, James 4:8 can provide great motivation to seek Him until He saves you. If you're someone who has been seeking to know God but hasn't found Him yet and are ready to give up, this is a promise that your efforts and perseverance will not be in vain if you continue to pursue the Lord with all your heart. Here are a few other verses that share this same truth:
"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul."
(Deut. 4:29)

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jer. 29:13)

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Mat. 7:7-8)

If you are someone who has never even attempted to find God, then be encouraged that the God who created the universe is real and He will be found by all who persevere in seeking Him. God created you to know Him and to be enthralled by His glory, and He desires for you to come home where you belong (1 Tim. 2:4).