There may be times in life, as there has been in mine, when God seems far away. You might feel that your prayers are going unheard. There could be a couple of reasons we feel God is being silent. One reason is that He is testing our faithfulness and trust in Him. However, today we are going to look at another and more probable reason, James says there is a simple reason and solution. If we are far from God, it is because our sin has separated us from Him.
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8
One thing we must remember is that God is unchanging! His character stays absolutely holy. His faithfulness remains constant; it is we who change. We allow sin into our lives, we choose our own direction, and we are the ones who spend less time with Him in our Bible and in prayer. But, one day something will happen to us, we will realize that we have gradually grown distant from God. The solution, according to James, is very straightforward. Draw near to God! As we realize our need to be closer to the Father, we began to return to Him. And you know what? As we began to return to Him, He meets us even as the father hurried to greet his prodigal son (Luke 15:20).
Drawing near to God requires us to take two actions: First we are to cleanse our hands (Isaiah 1:15). That is, we are to cleanse our way of living! If we have been actively engaged in sin, we must renounce it. If we have done anything to offend or hurt others, we must make it right. Secondly, we are to purify our hearts (Psalm 51:10). We must make certain our attitudes, thoughts, and motives are right in God's eyes and are in harmony with God's Word. Remember, Jesus warned that we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). It is impossible to love anything else as much as we love God and still please Him.
Friends, if God seems distant today, do what is necessary to cleanse your hands, purify your heart, and draw near to Him. He will draw near to you, but it has to be your choice. God will not force His way into our lives, but He does call to us and wait for us. Responding to Him is our responsibility, and it starts with cleansing!
May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8
One thing we must remember is that God is unchanging! His character stays absolutely holy. His faithfulness remains constant; it is we who change. We allow sin into our lives, we choose our own direction, and we are the ones who spend less time with Him in our Bible and in prayer. But, one day something will happen to us, we will realize that we have gradually grown distant from God. The solution, according to James, is very straightforward. Draw near to God! As we realize our need to be closer to the Father, we began to return to Him. And you know what? As we began to return to Him, He meets us even as the father hurried to greet his prodigal son (Luke 15:20).
Drawing near to God requires us to take two actions: First we are to cleanse our hands (Isaiah 1:15). That is, we are to cleanse our way of living! If we have been actively engaged in sin, we must renounce it. If we have done anything to offend or hurt others, we must make it right. Secondly, we are to purify our hearts (Psalm 51:10). We must make certain our attitudes, thoughts, and motives are right in God's eyes and are in harmony with God's Word. Remember, Jesus warned that we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). It is impossible to love anything else as much as we love God and still please Him.
Friends, if God seems distant today, do what is necessary to cleanse your hands, purify your heart, and draw near to Him. He will draw near to you, but it has to be your choice. God will not force His way into our lives, but He does call to us and wait for us. Responding to Him is our responsibility, and it starts with cleansing!
May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!
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