Near

January 11: Tuesday Refocus

in

‘You called, you cried, you shattered my deafness. You sparkled, you blazed, you drove away my blindness.  You shed your fragrance, and I drew in my breath, and I pant for You. I tasted and now hunger and thirst.  You touched me, and now I burn with longing for Your peace.’ - St Augustine

Have you tasted and seen that the Lord is good (Ps 34:8)?

Have you experienced how He satisfies the desire of every living thing (Ps 145:16)?

Out of the season of Advent, we remember that God is a God who draws near (Jn 1:14).  He is not far removed, or unknowable, but One who desires to be known, and have His people draw near.  Perhaps there is no greater aim of our lives in 2022 than to draw near to the One who has first drawn near to us (James 4:8).

God, reveal yourself to me this year.  Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, a heart to know, and a life of obedience that follows You. In the name of Christ, amen.

Asking,

AB

November 5: Tuesday Refocus

in

‘No one ever comes very close to God and remains proud.’ – Alan Nelson

TUESDAY REFOCUS.png

‘Draw near,’ is the invitation James tells us is always met with God, in turn, drawing near (4:8).  As followers of Christ we can draw near with confidence (Heb 4:16).  But make no mistake this confidence is not in our own righteousness, but in the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:21).

As we draw near we find grace and mercy, yet still fall down as though dead (Heb 4:16, Rev 1:17).  Because no one ever draws near to God and remains proud.  But do not be afraid – His nearness is your good (Ps 73:28). 

‘When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead.  But He laid His right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the First and the Last, and the Living One.  I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.’ – Revelation 1:17


Lord, You know the proud from afar, but regard the lowly.  Help us draw near with full confidence in the completed work of Christ.  Thank you for being Emmanuel, the God who is with us.  We are humbled and grateful, in Christ name, amen.

Draw near,

AB