James 4:8, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!”
My heart skips a beat as I ponder the first part of this verse, “draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” The imagery that immediately comes to mind is physically drawing near – maybe resting in His arms, sitting on his lap with my head against His chest, and hearing His heartbeat. I can’t think of a safer, more secure, or more perfect place to be, especially during this craziness. A picture is painted in my mind of peace, stillness, and comfort. But do you notice, we have action to take first? The verse is not, God will get close to you, and then you can get close to God. No, we are to take the first step. If we are not feeling close to God, maybe, we are the one that has moved?
2 Chronicles 15:2: “So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Asa and all Judah and Benjamin, hear me. The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you.”
Action is required to cleanse our hands
The second part of this verse requires action as well. We have to take responsibility for our sins as people that live in the World, but our desire is not to be like the World. Our response is both external, cleansing our hands and internal, purifying our hearts.
Dear Lord, Oh how I desire to draw near to you. Relax in Your comforting arms and hear Your heart beat. Lord, let me daily draw near to You. Guide me to cleanse my hands and purify my heart and not be drawn into the things of the world. In Jesus Name, Amen!
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Jas 4:8). (2 Ch 15:2)Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
