For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Hebrews 10:1
Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For,
“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;
but my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.”
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:35-39
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. James 4:8
What are your first thoughts in the morning? Do you set aside time to draw near to Him? Where is He on your priority list of your day? Is He your most important meeting of the day? Do you hold off making plans for the day until you’ve met with Him? Is He the one who truly directs you day? Or is He just one you try quickly to give a ‘prayer’ to as you rush off for you busy day? Or do you just try to quickly read a portion of the scriptures or listen to a podcast without ever really engaging with Him personally in conversational prayer? What do you think is His desire with you? What do you think He would like to tell you? What do you think He would like to do for you? Do you think He would like to engage with you? Do you think He is actually waiting for you?
These are the questions that come to my mind as I focus this morning on Him. Writing every morning, and setting myself before Him to listen… to His heart. To fill my heart with worship and prayer, as I have learned He IS my life. My intent is to always ‘draw near’ to Him first thing in the morning. And as I clear away the ‘brush’, and clutter of my mind and heart, He is there waiting to embrace me with His Spirit.
We must purposely, faithfully, and earnestly seek Him … at the beginning of each of our days. For He is not second, or third priority, of my life, because I have made Him .. my first priority .. in my life, as He gave me His life .. literally. My days are extended here on earth because of Him. I understand that I am now His, and that His plan for me is my only life going forward each day. But since He is also gracious, full of mercy, and loving, He defers to my ‘will’ and choice, allowing me to choose Him, His ways, and plans for me … each day and moment. It is my responsibility to continually stay in the ‘yoke’ with Him, and walk with Him, wherever He leads and goes. For this is truly a relationship of love and not of slavery, it is one of real friendship.
For this is why you were created.. to be loved by Him and to know Him. To have relationship with Him in the deepest and most intentional way possible. This requires a ‘free will’ within us choosing Him, over and over. May I suggest .. daily, and moment by moment. Seek Him while He can yet be found by you, before this time is forever closed. For today… is our current, biggest, and most important opportunity with Him.
*Selah* (pause and ponder these things)