In the Presence of a Holy God

It’s been exactly 13 days since I started waking up at 6:00 a.m. to spend the first hour of my day in the presence of God, and it’s been the most amazing, best 13 days of my entire 30 years of life!

James 4:18a says: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. And it’s so true! The commentary I was reading on it states:

“The call to draw near to God is both an invitation and a promise. We have it as a promise: God will draw near to us as we draw near to Him.” (Guzik)

Psalm 14:2 says: The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

“When a soul sets out to seek God, God sets out to meet that soul; so that while we are drawing near to him, He is drawing near to us." (Clarke)

What does it mean to draw near to God? Spurgeon considered a few ways:

It means to draw near in worship, praise, and in prayer.

It means to draw near by asking counsel of God.

It means to draw near in enjoying communion with God.

It means to draw near in the general course and tenor of your life.

“This also shows what God wants to do for the sinner. It doesn't say, "Draw near to God and He will save you" or "Draw near to God and He will forgive you," though both of those are true. But what God really wants is to be near man; to have a close relationship and fellowship with the individual. “(Guzik)

“In one way, this text illustrates the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant. In the old covenant, God told Moses to not come any closer to the burning bush and take off his shoes. Under the new covenant, God says to the sinner: "Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you." Now the ground between God and the sinner has been sprinkled with the blood of Jesus, and we can come close to God on the basis of that blood.” (Guzik)

Why am I sharing this? Well, simply because I can’t not share it!

 Psalm 9:1-2 says: I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

As I spent that hour each morning in His presence I felt overwhelmed by who He is and I know He’s only revealed a fraction of it to me! There’s been so much wisdom and understanding He’s revealed to me through scripture that I’ve already filled 36 pages of notes!

Psalm 12:6 says: The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

And Psalm 19:7-14 says:

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

What’s been the most overwhelming for me, however, is the glimpses of His holiness.

When I became a believer 8.5 years ago it wasn’t through a deep conviction of sin but rather a drawing of His love.

Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Song of Solomon 1:4 says: Draw me, we will run after thee:

And John 3:16 says: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I remember clearly holding my first-born son in my arms and not being able to fathom giving him up, and God showing me how great His love was for me, that He was willing to give up His only begotten Son to save me! And that was only the beginning! 8.5 years later I am still learning and growing in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)

But now, having this special, set apart time alone with Him, I’ve been overwhelmed by His holiness, and in turn struck by my own sinfulness.

Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

Job 40:4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

And there’s a song I love that says:

In the presence of a holy God

I bow down and I adore

He reveals the secrets of my heart

And I’m shaken to the core

(M. Altrogge)

1 Samuel 16:7b says: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

And Jeremiah 17:9-10 says: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

And He’s shown me how although my actions might look good on the outside, on the inside my heart is deceitful and proud and selfish.

Another commentary I was reading said:

“The person who draws close to God is the one who is most aware of sin within. Only God can reveal what is truly in a person’s heart. He brings to light things that are hidden in darkness and exposes your motives so you can confess them and allow God to change you.” (Graham)

Psalm 18:28 For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

But although He is revealing who I really am, it produces a longing for Him that grows stronger every day! Spurgeon says it so well when he writes:

"Note that contrast; note it always. 

Observe how weak we are, how strong He is; 

how proud we are, how condescending He is; 

how erring we are, and how infallible He is; 

how changing we are, and how immutable He is; 

how provoking we are, and how forgiving He is. 

Observe how in us there is only ill, and how in Him there is only good. 

Yet our ill but draws his goodness forth, and still he blesseth. 

Oh! What a rich contrast!"

So I urge you, draw near to God! Start the day in His presence. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17

"Do you suffer from spiritual poverty? It is your own fault, for He giveth more grace. If you have not got it, it is not because it is not to be had, but because you have not gone for it." (Spurgeon)

“The truth is, apart from abiding in Him – living in constant, conscious union with and dependence of Him – I cannot do anything of spiritual or eternal value.” ( N. L. DM)

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28)