The Only Way - Drawing Closer to God

# Lesson 391 The Only Way—Drawing Closer to God

"For, 'All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.' And this is the word that was proclaimed to you." - 1 Peter 1:24-25

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever!" - Isaiah 40:8

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8

"The sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business." - James 1:11

Every year, the state of Louisiana is visited by windstorms, thunder, lightning, and heavy rains! From around June through September, major hurricanes typically occur, sometimes bringing several severe thunderstorms that cause damage here and there. Some years we have had to evacuate to other places to weather the storms, waiting until they pass before returning home. During particularly violent storms, we have experienced power outages lasting weeks or days, or damage to our roof. But most of the time we escape without any harm at all! Thank God! Living in storm-prone regions like this has taught us to depend on God much more!

Most of us acknowledge obvious truths: homes can be destroyed by tornadoes if one strikes directly. Health gradually deteriorates with age. Beauty fades, no matter how much cosmetic enhancement is applied. Life is uncertain—we don't know what tomorrow will bring. The older we get, the more we notice changes in many ways, especially a noticeable decline in memory!

Only Jesus Christ never changes. The author of Hebrews tells us, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). The apostle James also expressed how quickly the world passes away: "The sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business" (James 1:11). Therefore, we must learn to know, love, and hope in God!

Truly, Jesus Christ is the only Way in whom we must place our complete trust! Jesus has opened the way for us to draw near to God directly and freely. Pastor A.W. Tozer said, "Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He even the best of many ways; He is the only Way."

We need to draw closer to Him through prayer, through meditating on God's Word, praising and thanking God each day! King David experienced God's abundant blessing when he drew near to Him. He said, "Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple" (Psalm 65:4). The author of Psalm 73, Asaph, saw the goodness of being near God: "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" (Psalm 73:28).

God's Word promises those who trust in Him: "They will call upon me, and I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will deliver them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation" (Psalm 91:15-16). There is truly nothing more blessed than living under the care of our loving God! Always trust in God who knows all things, rely on His almighty power, draw near to Him more, call upon Him in every circumstance, every difficulty, every moment, every place, every second! Thank You, God, for always watching over us and helping us understand our own weakness and the fleeting nature of all earthly things; so that we must continually seek You, draw close to You, and trust in You all our lives! Amen!

The material world gradually fades away, Strength and talent too will pass, Some pursue and then collapse, All dissolve like a passing breeze! Only He—the living God, truly Lord, Glorious forever, abundantly clear, Trust with all heart and all strength, Obey the Living Word, find perfect peace!

Ngoc Huynh Bich

Further reading: Psalm 40:1-4, "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods."

Topics