“Draw night to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:8
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“Did you get the photo I sent you?” My aunt gushes with great anticipation.
“Yes.” I gaze at the image of a beautiful couple on my computer screen. I feel like I am looking at a snapshot that comes with a picture frame. There is no emotion or connection to the people staring back at me.
“They are getting married in a month. Aren’t you so happy?” My aunt tries to hide her disappointment in my lack of enthusiasm, she presses in further.
“Sure.” I sigh with unmasked indifference. Of course I want good for them. I wish them no harm. But, do I care deeply? Sadly, I must say the answer is no. If it were not for my aunt’s updates on every milestone in my distant cousin’s lives, I would barely be aware of their existence. I’m sure they have grown tired of hearing about my mundane accomplishments as well.
When there is no personal contact, there will be a lack of personal passion. The intimacy that only comes from the investment of actually being involved cannot be avoided. It is the very thread that binds a relationship together.
James 4:8 reminds us that a relationship with God works in the same way. We cannot hear from God, know God and experience Him, if we do not draw close to Him ourselves. If we rely on prayer through a friend, a weekly sermon at church or mundane rituals, we are missing God. God created you to have a direct connect with you. He formed you so He could have a personal relationship with you. He is prepared to walk with you through the storms of life.
So, how is this intimacy created? Intimacy is only achieved through regular interaction and fellowship. We must reach out to God in our personal prayer life, expect to hear from him in our quiet devotional time and hunger to spend time with him while we go about our daily lives. Pursue God with the same passion you would any person that is of interest to you. Don’t you think He is worthy of that?
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I pursue you, and when I don’t feel like I hear from you, I give up. I admit that doubt starts to linger in my head. Sometimes you feel so far from me– I even wonder if you exist. This is so shameful for me to admit.
I know that if you feel far, it is not because you have left me. I must have stepped away.
I rededicate my love to you. Light the fire of my heart to be passionate for you again. I want to know you; I am tired of missing you feeling like you are so far from me.
I am drawing close to you right now. Draw close to me. Forgive me for getting distracted and for doubting. Bless my prayer time, my Bible reading time and my inner prayer life as I go about my day.
Bless me to hear from you, to obey what you say and to grow up from this immature state. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s daily devotional.
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan