As so much of the world draws ever farther away from the Lord, spiraling downward by the moment into a black abyss of eternal torment in hell while God still stands with outstretched hand with an offer of forgiveness and the promise of everlasting life with Him for those who turn from their wicked ways in repentance and place their trust in Jesus Christ as Lord who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, I sleepily waited for the Lord to see if He would put anything on my heart to write. Then I heard what felt like little more than a whisper in my heart with two simple words. Draw near.
Little did I know what seemed like such a sweet, beloved, peaceful message about the gentle peace and rest and comfort of the words, “draw near to God,” was not the message the Lord had chosen to place in my heart. As I did a quick search in the Bible for all the references to the words “draw near,” I knew in my spirit which scripture the Lord wanted me to write about. And there is nothing whatsoever peaceful about it because it is one of the strongest admonitions of countless warnings in the Bible the Lord has spoken – and is still speaking – to His Creation.
In the Book of Isaiah, the Lord makes it abundantly clear that to draw near to God with one’s mouth and words is wrong, and even despicable, wicked, sinful, and meaningless if it is not coupled with our hearts, our minds, and our actions being dedicated to the Lord with love, with honor, with reverence, with sincerity. The Lord reveals in His Word that judgment and condemnation and ultimately hell will come to those who try to keep their wickedness in the dark while refusing to repent and love and revere Him. God does not honor and forgive and offer eternal life to those who toss around His name and uphold the traditions of humans and man-made religion. The Lord desires our repentance and wholehearted surrender to Him not in a single moment, but for all time. He wants our lives dedicated to Him.
Draw near to God. Now. This very moment. If you already know the Lord, draw near and spend time with Him, studying His Word and basking in His presence. If you do not yet know Him, repent and believe the Gospel that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for your sins so you can repent, be forgiven, and develop an indescribably beautiful, personal relationship with the Lord – now and forever. Draw near to God. Draw near to God. Draw near to God while there is yet time. Before it is too late to draw near.
Isa 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Isa 29:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Isa 29:15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?