Closer to God in 2022

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Matthew 11:28

 

Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

(ESV)

 

Tomorrow is New Years Day, a day when we reflect on what occurred in the previous year and look forward to the next year. While we look forward to better things in 2022, the events of the last two years cause us to approach 2022 with caution. As believers in Jesus as our savior, we must remember that God knows the future and what will happen in 2022 and will not be surprised at what happens. Therefore, I am issuing a challenge in 2022 for everyone reading this to grow closer in their relationship with God. To draw closer to God, one must,

 

1)      Have a desire for intimacy with God (Psalm 42:1) – Deer do not normally pant for water and find water to drink before panting. When they a deer pants, it indicates an extreme thirst, providing a picture of one with an extreme thirst for intimacy with God. We just completed our celebration of the birth of Christ and soon will remember our savior’s death and resurrection for our sins during Good Friday and Easter or Resurrection Sunday. I encourage everyone reading this to take time to reflect on the great love of God the Father who sent his only Son (John 3:16), Jesus, to become one of us and suffer excruciating pain for our sins, even though he knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). Why would one not want to draw close to a God showing this level of love?

2)      Have a desire to learn from God’s Word (Psalm 1:1-2) – John 1:1-5 refers to the Word being with God from the beginning. In John 1:14 Scripture goes on to tell us that the Word became flesh, a reference to Jesus, God, taking on humanity so humanity could witness the glory of God. Jesus is God and God’s Word in a fleshly form sinful humanity can relate to. While those of us living today have not seen Jesus face-to-face, God left us His Word and the Holy Spirit to help us understand it (John 14:26). It is this Word from God that lights our path and guides our feet as we discern it through the Holy Spirit (Psalm 119:105). Those desiring a closer intimacy with God must develop a desire to learn from God’s Word.

3)      Live in obedience to the Word of God (Joshua 1:8) – Jesus told the Samaritan woman true worshippers of God are not those worshipping in a certain place but those worshipping in spirit and truth (John 4:21-24). While it is important to know God’s Word, the truth, it is also important for one to live in the spirit of obedience to what the Word of God says. Joshua faced a daunting task, taking a group of people who had a rebellious streak in them across the Jordan to face the powerful Canaanites. God must have sensed fear in Joshua’s heart as he reminded him three times to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:6,7,9). In Joshua 1:8 God tells Joshua to continually meditate on the Word of God and carefully do all that is written. Those desiring a closer intimacy with God must not only know the Word of God but live according to it.

4)      Serve and tell others about God (Acts 1:4,8) – Before departing to be with His Father, Jesus instructed His disciples to remain in Jerusalem to receive the promised Holy Spirit and once receiving this power, to be witnesses to what they had seen and learned from Jesus (Acts 1:4,8). As believers, we have received the most wonderful and powerful gift one can receive, salvation from our sins. Since all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and since sin carries with it a death penalty (Romans 6:23), sin represents humanity’s biggest problem. However, the good news of the
Gospel is that the sin problem was solved by God’s grace at the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9). When we share this news with others, we are not surrendering our gift by giving it to someone else but allowing them to also receive the gift of salvation. One desiring closer intimacy with Christ receives great joy when they share the Gospel with others and see God transform their lives.

 

God sent Jesus to restore fallen humanity by dying for humanity’s sins. However, for one to enjoy a relationship with their creator, they must seek it for God stands at the door of our hearts knocking but we must open the door (Revelation 3:20). Closer intimacy in our relationship with God happens as we learn from God’s Word, live in obedience to its teachings, and share the gift of salvation we have received with others.

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed to receive the gift of salvation offered by God through Jesus, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

The challenge for 2022 is drawing closer in our relationship with God by the study of God’s Word, living in obedience to what God’s Word teaches, and sharing what we have learned with others. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.