RESPONSE
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
James 4:8 (NLT)
Have you ever felt far away from God? He’s closer than you think.
In a world that seeks to pull us away from God, we need now, more than ever, the reminder that loving the things of this world will inevitably draw us away from God. Scripture instructs us Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you (1 John 2:15 NLT).
Thankfully, because of the complete and finished work of Christ, there’s nothing you’ve done, and nothing you will do that prevents you from drawing close to God. His call to come close is both an invitation and a promise. Even when we forget about God, He never forgets about us. Even when our loyalty is divided, He remains faithful and available.
As we journey throughout the day, let’s be mindful of God’s presence. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4 NASB). Remembering and trusting that God is near can strengthen our loyalty and devotion to Him. And as we surrender and invite Him in, as we come close to Him, we’ll soon find no better place to be.
APPLICATION:
Be honest. What are you most attached to? What preoccupies your mind the most? When you’re not focusing on God, where does your mind wander? Identify whatever pulls you away from God and ask God’s Spirit to help you detach from it. A habit. A harmful thought you just can’t let go of—an unhealthy desire. Invite God into those places and ask Him to overpower your attachment to those things.
PRAYER:
Dear God, in a world filled with things that pull me away from You, I pray You’d give me strength and courage to come close to You with undivided loyalty. May Your Spirit overcome my desires for the things of this world and anything that pulls me away from You. I surrender fully to You and ask You to fill my heart with Your life and love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?