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WHEN WE DRAW, GOD DRAWS "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)First and foremost, drawing near to God involves a cleansing of the hands and a purifying of the heart. We don't rush into the presence of God and speak in a fashion like we're in a drive-thru line at a fast-food joint making our requests known for what we want. The cleansing of the hands goes all the way back to the priests of the law cleansing their hands before they began their duties in the Temple. The purifying of the heart I believe is a reference to a person's sins of coveting, lust, lying, and the rest of that whole list of dirty laundry mentioned in the Scriptures. If that is not done, then how then can anyone expect to draw nigh to God and God to draw nigh to them? Let us never lose sight of the fact that God is holy, and He commands us to be holy as well (1 Peter 1:16).So, the Bible tells us to "Draw nigh to God," and in so doing, God will draw nigh to us. O, how kind and gracious is our great I AM that He longs to be near us.We may draw near to others, and then after some time passes, we may also discover that they may grow weary and tire of our presence and would rather be left alone. But that's never true concerning our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. His desire is to draw nigh to ever forgive and never forsake us.Remember that prodigal son? He was living it up and having a high old time till all his friends and funds had disappeared. But he came to himself, didn't he? What did he do? Why, he made a "glad dash" for home. And what did he find? He found as he drew nigh, his loving father drew nigh to him (Luke 15:20).How about that day when good ole Noah sent that dove out the window of the ark. After finding no rest for the sole of her foot, the wandering dove returned. Did Noah slam the window shut and close the blinds? No! When the dove drew nigh, Noah reached forth his hand and drew that dove nigh to himself (Genesis 8:9).Oh, how much more it is with our Heavenly Father. When we draw nigh to God, He will draw nigh to us. And here's another wonderful truth to consider: The NEARER we draw nigh to Him, the NEARER He draws nigh to us.Your Heavenly Father is waiting this very moment to draw nigh to you. But mark it down in CAPITAL LETTERS, He will never go where He's not invited or where He's not wanted. Have you invited Him? Do you want Him to draw nigh unto you?Friends, perhaps you have been slowly drifting away. The Scripture's promise is crystal clear. When you draw nigh to God, He will draw nigh to you and, oh my. He will fill your soul with an assurance that He will meet you right where you are. His heart will be close to your heart and His ear will hear your faintest cry.