Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8 NAS95)
I wonder how real this statement proved in the life of James, the Lord’s brother? James experienced Jesus for 33 years, and apparently turned in faith soon after the resurrection. Jesus bantered with his brothers’ possible sarcasm before going up to Jerusalem for a feast (Jn. 7:4-9). Maybe James played a part in that banter. In any case, James makes this statement for a reason and one he well knew from experiencing Jesus up close throughout his life. Quite possibly James knew His brother’s heart and knew it from their youth. Maybe he’d experienced Jesus drawing near in many instances, even after times when James mistreated Him.
James so intensely knows God will draw near that he writes this more as a command than a suggestion. He seems to also imply in the context that drawing near to God promises the greatest cure for the spiritual battles we may endure. I wonder if when James had a question or a struggle in his youth, he knew Jesus provided wisdom and comfort beyond His years? James’ experience of His brother both before and after the resurrection informs what he writes in this verse. For James, the verse expresses true reality. The bottom line. In all circumstances draw near to God! In fact, he may believe it is absolutely insane to refrain from drawing near to God in any circumstance, so he writes this command. Let us live into the reality of drawing near to God in all circumstances.
God in Christ drew near to us as Christmas reminds. God loves it when we do the same with Him.
For Reflection:
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13 NAS95)
- How easy or difficult do painful emotions make it to draw near to God? How does awareness of sinful attitudes affect your desire to draw near?
- What circumstances in life encourage you to draw near to God? What sorts of things incite an internal resistance to drawing near?
