Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. Moses alone shall come near to the Lord , but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.”
Exodus 24:1-2 ESV
Drawing near to the Lord.
Even those in darkness who will not acknowledge God in their minds know in their hearts the danger of approaching God. Even those who will not acknowledge any fear of God with their words prove it by their lives when they shrink back from the idea of godly, sacrificial, merciful living – they are clearly most comfortable in their selfishness and pride and worldliness.
Those living in darkness run from the light because they are afraid of what it might reveal about their hearts. But I have a secret to tell those lost in darkness, every Christian knows that fear of the light shining on and revealing sin and darkness in our lives. We call it conviction. It is when God not only shows us or imperfections, but offers us the power to see them overcome and replaced with His Holy Spirit. That is when chains are broken and captives are set free. You see, it isn’t about you being good enough to come to God, it’s about who He has called to come close so that He can change them from the inside out.
Many He has not yet drawn close because they are not yet ready in their hearts, they are not yet spiritually mature or fully surrendered, they are not yet that good soil where His love can grow and thrive, but He is patient and has a plan in mind for their lives. All things are being reconciled to God – different vessels for different purposes.
I ask you, where does God want you? Far away or close?
If you are not meant to draw close, I love you friend, but you might find that I have left you behind for a time or season – not because of a lack of love for you, but because of a greater love for the Lord. If you are meddling in a life of sin and swimming in the slop, you might think that I don’t like you because I avoid getting trapped up in your mess – but I love you and I’m asking the Lord to lead you along the path that He has for you.
I’m not going to drag anyone kicking and screaming up the mountaintop because they are left at the bottom so they won’t be destroyed. If you aren’t ready to climb the mountaintop and be close to the Lord, I hope that one day you will be – because it is amazing and wonderful. But if you’re not today, I understand. I remember how it used to be. It hasn’t been that long. The only one that called me up onto the mountaintop was the Lord, and that is the way that it should be. So I’m not being you to come on your own, friend. I’m being the Lord to draw you near.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
John 6:44 ESV
I don’t ask you, friend, if you have “accepted Jesus”. No, I ask you, “Is the Father drawing you near to His presence? Do you know His voice? Do you love Him? Do you feel that need, that urge, to draw closer to Him?”
I don’t condemn you if you are satisfied right now at the bottom of the mountain, far from God. I’m not trying to manipulate you into accepting a religious mindset that will destroy you by you forcing things under your own power. I’m not offering you a heaven ticket in trade for a prayer and some tithes. I’m asking if you are a fellow disciple of Christ, called and chosen to step forth and serve the Lord faithfully who laid His life down for you on the cross. If the burden is too great, I’d you have counted the cost and it is too great, if you are not drawn close to the Lord today, you have made your choice, you know who you serve. May your belly be full and your time on earth be happy if you have chosen this world and the things in it as your portion. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, we will bring Him honor and glory forever and ever – not because we are better or worse people, but because we believe and because He draws us, He has chosen us, and for His name’s sake we will not turn back. Amen.
Harold J. Ballinger 