Draw Near to Me

“But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.” – Deuteronomy 4:29 NLT

“Draw Close/Near” seems to be my word/phrase for 2024. I started praying in late 2023 for what God wanted me to focus on for the upcoming year. He laid on my heart to draw near to Him. 

According to Vocabulary.com, drawing close is “move, or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position; pull towards oneself; move towards.”  I’m fond of the definitions that I found—getting cozy and comfortable in my relationship with the Lord and moving towards God more are things I can get down with. I strive to be obedient to His calling for me in my life and I want to honor Him in all that I think, say, and do. 

In Deuteronomy chapter four, we find Moses telling the Israelites about idols (Deuteronomy 4:15-31). Moses also told the people that God was angry with him and because of his disobedience he would not be crossing into the Promised Land. “So be careful not to break the covenant the Lord your God has made with you. Do not make idols of any shape or form, for the Lord your God has forbidden this.” (Deuteronomy 4:23 NLT). Moses was punished for disobedience but he was still warning others so they wouldn’t also fall into the sin of creating idols. A tangible item won’t make someone closer to God, aligning our hearts with God’s will draw us closer to God. Today’s key verse from Deuteronomy 4:29 tells us exactly that, “But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.” (NLT). We can’t be split between the world (idols) and God, we have to be all-in. 

The Israelites saw the physical idols of other gods all around as they traveled. The idols provided a visual and the people struggled with not being able to have that physical object to worship. But in his teaching, Moses directed them to stay away from those thoughts because when you start associating tangible things with God you start sinning. 

As this new year starts I look forward to seeing where God leads me as He draws me near to Him. 

I’ve bought a new resource, “Draw Closer” by Aminata Coote. It’s 52 weekly devotions. I’ve started it and I’m loving it. If you want to join me, here’s the link on Amazon.

I also have a friend who is publishing a book this year, “Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become a Birthplace of Blessings” by Hadassah Treu. I’m looking forward to this book too! Don’t worry I’ll be posting more about Aminata and Hadassah’s books throughout the year.

Do you have a resource you’d like to share with me?

Please comment or send me a message. I’m thankful you are here.