Draw Near To God | Northstar Church

“Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” – Isaiah 55:6-7.

We all experience times of change. Time of change is a good time to remember that Jesus came to make a way for us to be near God. In His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus built a bridge between us and God allowing us to have continual, unhindered communion with our Creator. It is time to draw near to God.

If we want to see God alive and active in our lives, James 4:8 tells us we need to: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” Drawing near to God is not trying to work for our salvation by what we do and the changes we make. It’s opening our eyes to see who He is and experience Him for ourselves. Sometimes God is not near because we are afraid to give God unfettered access to our lives. We are afraid of what changes He may choose to make. But when we put up barriers, they can block us from truly knowing God.

Jesus taught that coming close to God is a top priority—the one thing that undergirds everything else: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33). And in Jeremiah 29:13-14 we read, “ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord…” (Jeremiah 29:13-14).

The more I’ve drawn near to God, the more I’ve experienced Him in my life. The more I pray, the more I realize He hears me. The more I read my Bible, the more I realize how true and unchanging He is. The more I choose to trust Him, the more I’ve miraculously witnessed His faithfulness. If you’ve found yourself searching for change, for more in your life, first draw near to God. He is the answer to all your questions and concerns.

Drawing near is not a physical act. It’s not reflecting on your achievements or what you have done right in your life. It’s not something that automatically happens when you attend church each week or by being faithful to your small group. It is an act of the heart.

Discussion Questions:

Have you taken time today to pursue God?
Do you recognize His pull on your heart to draw near?