Day 1 | James 4:8a
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
--James 4:8a (ESV)
For Reflection:
A welcoming promise. Imagine sitting in the quiet with God – maybe even crawling onto His lap as a child might do. In the new year, it seems natural perhaps to reflect on what has passed and what lies ahead—yet before we default into analyzing, reflecting, planning… let’s take this time to simply be in God’s presence.
To draw near. To be seen. As you are. Known fully. Hiding nothing. The good and the not so good; the holy and even the less holy. To be seen – and loved. You. As you are. Me. As I am.
“Come close to God, and God will come close to you” (NLT).
This beautiful promise is buried within a direct and challenging passage in James 4, written by Jesus’ brother. He reminds us that God provides His word to guide and help us, that there is clarity, grace, and power in humbling ourselves to Him.
James 4:5-8a: Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
James challenges us to trust God’s Word. His grace. His power. His way. He helps us see that the act of humbling ourselves and our way to His way makes the way for His power and grace to guide. Grace that frees. Power that enables us to resist temptation, making Satan flee.
Our nearness to God matters - in our decisions and actions, our relationships and lives. Reflect on your days, decisions you are facing or have recently made. How often do you pause to intentionally move toward God? To listen and seek? What might it look like to draw near to God?
God loves you and invites you to come close. However you are; wherever you’ve been; whatever you have experienced; whatever your questions… As you come close, as you move toward God, God moves toward you, comes close, draws near. He will empower, strengthen, and guide you.
Let Us Pray:
Praying moves us closer to God. We become more aware of His presence; we welcome Him in. Breath prayer is a practice of praying that uses our normal, rhythmic breathing as the foundation for short, repetitive prayers that invite God into the ordinary moments of our lives in meaningful ways. We breathe in, focusing on a phrase; then breathe out, quietly focusing on another related phrase, promise or invitation. Can be Scripture or your own words of prayer. Repeat, breathing in slowly, then out, slowly. 3 – 5 times…
One way of praying James 4:8a, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you,” might be:
[inhale] Here I am, Lord;
[exhale] draw close to me.
Other examples:
Psalm 27: [inhale] Lord, you are my light and salvation; [exhale] I will not fear.
Psalm 23: [inhale] The Lord is my shepherd; [exhale] I have all that I need.
Now take a moment to draw near through praying a breath prayer. Sit quietly with God. Draw near. Breathe in and out, praying as He draws near to you. Slowly. Repeat 3-5 times.
Lord, there is joy and strength in your presence; renewed hope and peace. Thank you for your word and your love, for seeking me even as I seek fulfillment in other places. Lord, Help me lay down my ways, crawl into your lap, and allow you to hold me and breathe into me… Fill me with your presence, as our breathing becomes one. Here I am Lord, draw close to me. In Your holy name and presence, I pray. Amen.
Questions:
I wonder how I can be more aware of God’s presence in the moments of my days?
I wonder what keeps me from drawing near?