Come close to God and he will come close to you. James 4:8 (NIV)
JAMES 4 – PART 3
As you say no to darkness, selfishness, resist the devil and walk away from temptations… move towards God.
Walk away from evil by walking towards God.
Which is to walk towards love and hope.
Walk away from lies and deceit by walking towards truth and life.
Walk away from hatred and division by walking towards love and community.
Walk away from “me first” by walking towards compassion and peace.
Walk away from arrogance by walking towards humility.
Walk away from self-destruction by walking towards discipline and devotion.
God doesn’t wait for you to be perfect and completely upright until He allows you into His presence. Any sign of movement towards Him and God moves in… give Him an inch and He’ll cross the dividing mile.
In fact, you’ll realise just how close God has always been all along. Col 1:16-17 says, “everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.”
He sees you in your weakness, He is right there in your moments of decision. When you engage in selfishness, He doesn’t turn away in shame, He continues to pursue you with His love and kindness. And when we awaken to His love we see with clarity just how present He is.
In the story of the prodigal son found in Luke 15, after squandering all his father had given him, the son returned home with a heavy load of shame and guilt. He thought that his wanderings would tarnish his father's love for him. But this father, heartsick for his absent son, stood waiting for him daily. Always believing and hoping that his son would make the journey home. Then the day came when the son rounded the last corner on the road towards his family home, and the father spotted him from atop the hill where the house had stood for generations. He didn’t wait to see what condition he was in; he didn’t hesitate to make a move until he heard what his son had to say… his son was coming home and the father ran like the wind to meet him. He embraced him before one word was spoken or there was time to sum up the situation.
Come close to God, and He will absolutely envelope you with Himself, His presence and His love.
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Thank you so much for all your posts! All of them have been perfectly timed. I’ve been going through some valleys and dark times,but I love this, “Come close to God, and He will absolutely envelope you with Himself, His presence and His love.” Such precious truths!! God bless you!
Hey Monique – we love that this has helped you! Much love 🙂