Draw Near To God (James 4:8)

Draw Near To God (James 4:8)

This is the same call that God has made from the mouths of the Prophets throughout history to his people who have turned away from him becoming friends with the world. "Thus declares the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts." (Zechariah 1:3) 

When we make mistakes and fall back into sin, it is never too late to come back to God. God, Who is merciful and loving, does not shut us out, never to let us back into a relationship with him. 

James offers us this same precious promise: Draw near to God and God will draw near to you. Come to God and God will be there. Seek after God and you will find him. Even if you have destroyed your life, God will come to you if you will come to him. This is the practical teaching of an observation we make in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. The son destroys his life in wild living. The father does not go after him and drag him back home. But he is waiting patiently outside the house each day hoping that his child will return. 

However, you must come to Him. God will not fix your problems for you. God will not force you to be His. But when you humble yourself, submit to Him, and draw near to Him, God is waiting for you and draws near to you. Our Father opens His loving, compassionate arms and brings us back into a covenant relationship as His child and rightful heir to His Kingdom - if we simply repent and return to Him!

Fr. John