Daily Companion  | 4 October

INTO THE FATHER'S EMBRACE

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. James 4:8

A father had just returned from work. As he opened the door, he was expecting as usual to see his son running to greet him.  He was worried. He called, "John, where are you? I am home." John, his son, would not be running to his father's embrace that very evening. His wife came downstairs to greet him. "Welcome, honey. John is hiding under the staircase because he broke your favourite vase in the dining room this afternoon."  "Oh dear son, come over here. I will buy another vase", he drew him close to his side.

It is God's desire to hold you in His embrace like a little baby so you can feel His loving warmth. But men continue to run away due to sin The privilege we now have in this dispensation of grace was lacking before Christ's advent. Solomon prayed, “Draw me, we will run after thee” (Song 1:4) and when God drew near, his life was totally transformed with wealth and wisdom. "The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness, I have drawn you”. (Jeremiah 31:3) Prophet Jeremiah only had such an experience once in his lifetime and yet his life was forever changed. To the children of Israel, God “drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love” (Hosea 11:4) after they sinned against God and cried for salvation. After being drawn by God, they became God’s elect. Other men who were drawn by God had these to say. David said, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee (Psalm 73:25). Apostle John affirmed, “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). 

Beloved, to be drawn by God, you must feel remorseful. Stop making it difficult for God to lift you up. Lift your arm like a little child in humility. Stop being heady. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so, Christ was lifted up for you to be drawn to God’s unending blessings and embrace. That whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:14, 15). Christ has suffered so much for you to be lifted. He has stooped so low to elevate you, leaving His glory in heaven to abase Himself so that you can be exalted despite your sinful life. Your time to be drawn to God has come. Seize the moment now. Run into God's embrace. 

Today’s Recite:   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. - John 3:16 

Today’s Morning Prayers: Heavenly Father, I know You love me. Forgive me all my sins and mistakes, for hiding from your mercy and embrace, for despising and ignoring You. I am sorry for sometimes being stubborn. I humble myself before You to be drawn unto You this day. I run into Your warm embrace. Lift my hands and head up O Lord God of my salvation. Turn my life around in Jesus' name I pray.  Amen!

Today’s Hymn: NEARER MY GOD  

Today’s ReadMe:  John 1 - 3