James 4:8-10 (The Message)

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”

These next 5 devotionals will concentrate on this one passage in James. It is worthy of our attention and focus because it unlocks the way to a deeper walk with God…a way that unfortunately, for most of us, has become the road less travelled.

“Come close to God and He will come close to you” does not put you in the driver’s seat. God made the first move when He drew you to His Son. God gave you the faith to believe…and God has given you the Holy Spirit to empower your walk with Jesus. That being said, the ball is now in your court. The nearer you draw to Him, the more His blessings will flow to you.

I think too many of us have a tendency to rely on other people’s closeness to God. A great preacher…the writer of a famous devotional…the most Godly people in our lives. It’s great to have their input, but God wants more than that for each one of us…He wants to give us more of Himself directly, rather than through others. Are you taking Him up on the offer…or are you picking up the morsels from someone else’s time with God?

Come close to God, and God will come close to you.