DEAR GOD: My Heart Yearns To Draw Near and Close To You~

4 Ways to Draw Near to God: The Scripture Store

“Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.” –Jeremiah 23:24

 

The LORD is everywhere and there isn’t anywhere He does not see – or hear – or know what is happening to one of His children.  A friend of mine said recently, “I don’t want God to know, but I truly did something foolish…”  And I stopped her and said, “Um- He already knows what foolish thing(s) you’ve done, even before you actually physically did it!

The LORD is Omnipotent and brilliant. This God who created the Universe. Our God who is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Great I AM – the Father of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior! He knows it all, before any of us even contemplate what it is we are going to do – He already knows!

As Christians we are aware of His promises. Plus, many followers are familiar with Biblical verses and the overall plan of the LORD for our lives. The great commission. But how many of us stop to take the time to clearly grasp the enormity of how GREAT He is? How many of us stop to realize that He sees our hearts and knows our intentions. He knows if we are with Him and for Him.

As Jesus said in Matthew 15:8 “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me…”  That is to say – some of us may read the Bible, recite the verses, or even memorize man – but when it comes down to applying their lives and convictions to the LORD, they don’t. They go through the motions, and their heart isn’t wrapped up in the One important Being – Christ!

It’s crucial to being a Christian – the actual application of seeking to follow the path of righteousness, and to seek His face in all we do.  That is to say – follow and adhere to His Word – align with the truth and truly look to mesh ourselves with His will for our lives.  Plus, this verse is a masterclass in prophetic continuity. Jesus draws from Isaiah 29:13 to confront the Pharisees, exposing how religious tradition can become a mask for spiritual emptiness. It’s not just about ancient Israel or first-century leaders—it’s about us.

This verse invites us to examine not just what we say, but who we are when no one’s listening.  It is about being authentic in all times, for God sees us at all times. There is no escaping the LORD – and who would want to?  Certainly not me – and assuredly not you dear readers.

There is something reverent in living our lives according to His will and plans for our lives. We can be assured that it is for our own good, all things for our own good. And when we aspire to please Him and obey Him – our days become less burdensome, and easier no matter what we are facing. It is our bridge over troubled waters.

  • Today – think about all you do before you do it – because God already knows what you intend to do.
  • Ask yourself this – are my actions going to please God?
  • Is God going to smile after I do this?
  • Is God going to be disappointed?
  • Is this something God would do?
  • And-am I being Christian in my actions today?
  • Isaiah 29:13This is the original source Jesus quotes: These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” It’s a sobering reminder that ritual without relationship is empty.
  • 1 Samuel 16:7 “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” This verse reinforces that God’s concern is always the inner life, not just external performance.
  • Jeremiah 31:33“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.” This speaks to the new covenant Jesus fulfills—one where worship flows from within, not just from tradition.
  • Micah 6:6–8This passage questions what God truly desires: not burnt offerings, but “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” It’s a call to integrity over ritual.
  • John 4:23–24Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” This is the heart of what Matthew 15:8 critiques—worship that is only in form, not in spirit.

Remember God wants us to be with Him in Eternity. He gives us warnings in the Bible and tells us what we are to do to attain eternal bliss. Accepting Christ as our Savior, we will get to the Father, (John 14:6) He is the truth the way and the life. Seeking Him daily, loving Him wholly, and honoring Him in all we do – we are going to please Him for sure.

Remember we ALL fall short – no one is perfect- but ONE – and that is our LORD!

But how amazing is His grace and forgiveness, that when we fall short, or slip up – we repent, and we are forgiven. Our sins are blotted out (Isaiah 43:25) – thank YOU FATHER GOD!

LORD – Let me love You with lips that follow the lead of my soul— and a heart that beats, closer and closer, to You in Jesus name, Amen.”

 

 

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