Let Us Draw Near to God with a Sincere Heart
Date: May 21, 2024
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse in NIV (Hebrews 10:22) "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts longing to draw closer to You. We thank You for the incredible gift of salvation that allows us to approach Your throne with confidence. Please cleanse our hearts from any guilt or shame that may be holding us back, and renew our minds with Your truth. Help us to trust in Your unfailing love and to walk in the full assurance of our faith in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
E - Explore the History and meaning The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and considering turning back to their old ways. The author encourages them to hold fast to their faith in Christ, emphasizing the superiority of Jesus and the new covenant. In this passage, the writer urges believers to draw near to God with sincerity and confidence, knowing that through Christ's sacrifice, we have been cleansed from our sins and can enjoy a restored relationship with our Heavenly Father.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
"Draw near" - Approaching God with confidence and intimacy, cultivating a close relationship with Him.
"Sincere heart" - Genuineness, authenticity, and honesty in our relationship with God, without hypocrisy or deceit.
"Full assurance" - Complete confidence and trust in God's faithfulness and the promises we have through faith in Christ.
S - Summarize and Share Do you ever feel like you're not good enough to approach God? Like your past mistakes or current struggles are holding you back from really connecting with Him? If we're honest, I think we've all been there at some point. But here's the incredible truth: because of Jesus, we can draw near to God with confidence, no matter what.
Today’s scripture reminds us that through Christ's sacrifice, our hearts have been cleansed and our conscience has been made clean. That means that when God looks at us, He doesn't see our failures or shortcomings. He sees the righteousness of Jesus, covering us like a spotless robe.
And because of that, we can approach God with a sincere heart and with full assurance. We don't have to hide or pretend to be something we're not. We can come to Him with honesty and authenticity, knowing that He loves us just as we are.
But drawing near to God isn't just about what we say or do during our quiet times or church services. It's about cultivating a close, intimate relationship with Him that transforms every area of our lives. It's about walking with Him daily, seeking His wisdom and guidance, and trusting in His faithfulness, even when things get tough.
And the amazing thing is, the more we draw near to God, the more we start to reflect His character and love to the world around us. We become a living testimony of His goodness and grace, shining His light into the darkest corners of our communities and relationships.
So today, if you're feeling distant from God, can I encourage you to take a step of faith? Draw near to Him with a sincere heart, knowing that He is waiting with open arms to embrace you. Trust in the full assurance that comes from knowing Jesus, and let His love and truth anchor your soul.
Remember, you are never too far gone for God's grace. You are never too broken for His healing. You are never too messed up for His love. So draw near to Him today, and watch as He transforms your life from the inside out.
3 Bible Cross References:
James 4:8 - "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Ephesians 3:12 - "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
Romans 5:1-2 - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God."