There is a cry from the heart of God calling us to draw near...
In Matthew 23:37, Jesus says regarding Jerusalem, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under [her] wings, but you were not willing!” In Psalms 16:11, David tells us that God will show us the path of life, and at His right hand there are pleasures forevermore. There is refuge, friend, in the presence of the Lord. When the children of Israel went down into Egypt at Joseph’s request, they lived in the Land of Goshen. This is significant because Goshen means drawing near. God wants His people to live in the land of Drawing Near! I believe that is still true for today, God wants us near to him where there is protection and direction. The Word of the Lord can change every circumstance – no matter how dire that situation may be. There is tremendous hope in Jesus Christ. The leper in Matthew 8:2 worshipped Jesus and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” He sincerely desired the compassion of Jesus. Jesus gave an answer that changed his whole life. He told the leper, “I am willing.” My dear friend, Jesus says to you, “I am willing.” Take those words into your heart and let them become a part of you. He is willing and able to help you, but we must draw near to Him. Coming to God doesn’t just involve coming to church faithfully; it also means spending time with Him everywhere else. Make him a part of your everyday affairs. Let your home be a dwelling place of the presence of God – I am NOT talking about making your home a mausoleum! What I am saying, however, is to let the atmosphere of your home be a place where you would not be ashamed if Jesus paid you a visit. Also, we should fellowship with the Lord through His word. Take time to read the Bible daily. Read it as if it is God’s personal letter to you, because that is exactly what the Scriptures are. These may seem like simple things, and they are, but when we do them, we create a habitation for God to manifest his mighty power. When we draw near to God through worship and Bible study, we step into the presence of God. And his divine presence can and will change our lives in miraculous ways.
Mikki Nyaga
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