Near and Dear

"Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

James 4:8 NIV

Waiting challenges faith, but waiting also strengthens faith in more ways than any other activity in life. If you're in a waiting season like me, then you know how important it is to stay near to God. Faith wouldn't be necessary if we knew when, where, or how God was going to show up. Nearness creates a dependency that activates the faith necessary to stay waiting on God and not take matters into our own hands.

God wants us to completely depend on Him. And how do we do that? Draw so closely to Him that your life--the way you live, the thoughts you have--are all solely on His will for you. Keep your hearts pure so that you aren't serving anyone or any other desire but the Lord's desires. When you draw near to Him, He becomes dear to you.

When the Lord God Almighty is near and dear to you, you will see Him and know Him in glorious ways. The impossible becomes possible. He becomes more real, miracles more evident.

Keep your faith; then, do the work necessary to keep Him close, depend on Him, and love Him with all of your heart. The Lord desires you. You, afterall, are dear to Him.

God Almighty, thank you for the way you love me and the way you are faithful to me. You are worthy of all praise. I ask in Jesus' name for help today to dedicate my life to you, to depend on you and not anyone or anything else, and to draw close to you. Show me your will. Bless me with your favor and goodness. I love you. Amen.