Journal Entry // November 12, 2022
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (ESV)
Hebrews 10:22
It is always interesting to see the pattern of phrases that God brings to my attention during these times of meditation and thought. This morning I sit and consider the words of Christ calling me to draw near to him. It is an important and essential part of following Christ, yet I find it challenging to draw near. Not because I don’t want to draw near but that I am too prideful and arrogant. Yesterday in Hebrews 7, I read that I was to draw near to God through Jesus as he continually prays for me. Now I read that I am to draw near with “a true heart in full assurance of faith.” Looking at the study notes in my Bible, it tells me that a true heart is one that has been cleansed and is in full submission to God. This is just another way of saying that I am to draw near to God through Christ in humility. That I am to rid myself of all the pride and arrogance that seeks to assert itself in my life and I am to clothe myself in humble submissiveness that brings my heart before the throne of grace and mercy.
I have just finished reading through 2 Chronicles this morning and it was surprising to see the numerous occasions that the actions of each king were measured by his heart motivation. Was he a king that did evil before the Lord, then his heart was far away from God and was full of pride and arrogance. Was he a king that did what is right before the Lord, then his heart was humble and full of submissive obedience. Those kings that did right in the eyes of the Lord all had this same drawing near to God with a true heart in full assurance. A humble confidence in the Lord. Not trusting in their own strength, but simply relying on the faithful One.
I have been thinking a lot about these kings and the stories of their lives and how I want the story of my life to be told. I want the story of my life to be wrapped up in the words of this passage. I want to draw near to Jesus with a true heart in full assurance of faith. A simple, humble life that only has eyes for Jesus. A life full of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. This is the outworking of a true heart in full assurance of faith. A heart not cluttered with the distractions of the world. A heart not burdened by the weight of sin. A heart that has been freed through the grace and mercy of Christ. A heart that beats in rhythm with the Savior. A heart that loves what Jesus loves. A heart that is satisfied in Jesus alone. A heart that is transfixed on the Beautiful One. A heart that draws near to God and never leaves his presence as it rests completely in the glory and grace and mercy of the Living God.