“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”

 

Hebrews 10:19-22

 

When Nathan was in kindergarten, he received a pair of orbs that are highly magnetic. He participated in some type of competition, and this was one of the prizes for that competition. Now, these are not just ordinary magnets; these are so strong that when they are brought close enough to each other, they slam together with such force that the box warned kids not to have their fingers near the insides of the orbs for fear of getting them pinched (great toy for children I know!). And these magnets make an audible “smack” when they do come together with such incredible force for each other.

 

What is really interesting about magnets is that the reason they are so attracted to each other is because they are polar opposites. One magnet contains a positive charge while the other magnet contains a negative charge. When they get even close to each other, they will start to shake and move, indicating they are close enough to feel the other’s charge. And the closer they get to each other, the stronger the pull, and the more that they move in anticipation of coming together.

 

While I was thinking about these magnets, God reminded me that my relationship with Him is very much the same. He is a very Holy (three times Holy in the Bible) God, and we are such sinful creatures. However, being such polar opposites, it is incredible that God is so drawn to us, and we are so drawn to Him. I can imagine why we are so drawn to Him because we long to be holy just like Him. However, I cannot fathom why He loves us so much and longs to be near us just as much. 

 

In the Old Testament, the Israelites had a reputation for their God being near them. When they came across the Jordan River and laid siege on the city of Jericho, Rahab told the spies that her people were in fear of the Israelites because they had heard the stories of how God had been with them. The people of Jericho knew that God was near the Israelites. Deuteronomy 4:7 says, “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?” God never left their side as long as the people were faithful to Him. And when the people were unfaithful, God waited patiently for them to return to Him after their time of consequence. 

 

James 4:7-8 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Since God created us so very long ago, He has been longing to develop that relationship with us again. Genesis tells us that He walked in the garden with Adam and Eve until they sinned and caused a rift in that relationship through their sin. Today, He leaves it up to us to draw near to Him first. He will never force His will on us, but be assured that His purposes will be accomplished, with or without us in the mix of it all. It is our choice what kind of blessings we receive by listening to His voice and doing what He tells us to do. 

 

Just like those magnets, I, too, want to be attracted to the LORD God Almighty. I want my outward and inward appearance to show the signs that I am near Him. I want my spirit to be quivering and unable to hold still because His presence is so near to me and drawing me even closer to Him. Psalm 73:27-28 indicates,

 

“Those who are far from you will perish;
       you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

But as for me, it is good to be near God.
       I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
       I will tell of all your deeds.”

 

The Lord is my refuge and my strength when I draw near to Him. There are times that we are very unlovable, and others have no desire to be any where near us. However, even in those moments, God waits patiently beside us covering us with His grace and His mercy. Oh, how I long for Him to pull me close so I can rest in Him.