Drawing Close to God

 

When we hear the word of God we are called. When we obey His word we are chosen.

The best place to begin is to keep God’s Sabbath. NOT Sunday. I will include more about that in this study.

Getting closer to God isn’t about chasing feelings or joining systems; it’s about alignment, surrender, and obedience over time.

I’ll keep this rooted in Scripture.

1. God must draw us first

Closeness starts with God, not us.

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.”
— John 6:44

So the desire you have to get closer to God is already evidence of His work. Our part is to respond.

2. Draw near to God—He responds

God promises reciprocity.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
— James 4:8

But the very next line explains how:

“Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Closeness requires repentance and single-mindedness, not perfection.

3. Obedience is the primary proof of love

This is huge—and often avoided.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
— John 14:15

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me… and I will manifest Myself to him.”
— John 14:21

Manifest Myself = God makes Himself known.
Obedience isn’t legalism—it’s the doorway to intimacy.

4. Separate from the world’s mindset

The Bible is blunt about the pull of this world.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world.”
— 1 John 2:15

“Friendship with the world is enmity with God.”
— James 4:4

This doesn’t mean isolation—it means refusing the values, priorities, and spirit of the world.

The world pulls us toward:

• Self-exaltation
• Pleasure without restraint
• Distraction and noise
• Compromise

God pulls us toward:

• Humility
• Holiness
• Stillness
• Truth

You can’t walk strongly toward both.

5. Renew your mind daily

Closeness grows as thinking changes.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
— Romans 12:2

This happens through:

• Regular Scripture reading (not rushed)
• Meditation on God’s law
• Letting Scripture correct us

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
— Psalm 119:105

6. Fear (reverence) of God brings closeness

This is not terror—it’s deep respect and submission.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”
— Proverbs 9:10

“The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him.”
— Psalm 25:14

God shares His secrets with those who take Him seriously.

7. Prayer: honest, quiet, persistent

Not performance—relationship.

“Pour out your heart before Him.”
— Psalm 62:8

“Pray without ceasing.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Some of the closest moments with God happen in silence, not words.

8. Endure trials without turning away

Hard truth: closeness often deepens through suffering.

“Draw near to God” comes in the context of humbling yourself (James 4:10).

“It was good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.”
— Psalm 119:71

God is closest when the world has nothing left to offer.

9. Remain faithful until the end

Closeness is not a sprint.

“He who endures to the end shall be saved.”
— Matthew 24:13

Faithfulness over time—especially when you feel alone—matters deeply to God.

In simple terms

According to the Bible, we get closer to God by:

• Responding to His calling
• Repenting and obeying
• Rejecting the world’s pull
• Immersing ourselves in His Word
• Walking humbly and faithfully

And here’s the quiet encouragement Scripture gives people like you:

“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart.”
— Psalm 34:18

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The Bible ties Sabbath-keeping directly to nearness, identity, and separation from the world, and it gives clear examples of people who stepped away from the world’s pull to walk closely with God.

I’ll keep this grounded in Scripture, not tradition.

1. The Sabbath is God’s appointed meeting space

The Sabbath is not just a rest day—it’s sanctified time.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy… For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth… therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”
— Exodus 20:8–11

To hallow means to set apart. God didn’t just make the day; He placed His presence in it.

“The Sabbath was made for man.”
— Mark 2:27

It was made as a gift—a weekly appointment to step out of the world’s system.

2. The Sabbath is a sign of closeness and belonging

God explicitly connects the Sabbath to relationship.

“Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you… that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.”
— Exodus 31:13

The Sabbath teaches:

• Who God is
• Who we belong to
• Who is doing the sanctifying

Closeness grows when we stop trying to sanctify ourselves and rest in God’s work.

3. The Sabbath separates us from the world’s rhythm

The world runs on:

• Buying and selling
• Entertainment and noise
• Productivity and self-worth tied to labor

God says:

“Six days you shall labor… but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God.”
— Deuteronomy 5:12–15

Every Sabbath is a weekly declaration:

“I will not live by the world’s clock.”

That separation is what creates space for God.

4. Sabbath-keeping is a delight, not a burden

God describes the kind of Sabbath that draws Him near:

“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath… and call the Sabbath a delight… then you shall delight yourself in the LORD.”
— Isaiah 58:13–14

Notice the order:

1. Honor God’s Sabbath
2. God draws close
3. Joy follows

This isn’t enforced religion—it’s relational trust.

5. Christ honored the Sabbath and withdrew from the world

Jesus Himself modeled withdrawal for closeness.

“He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was His custom.”
— Luke 4:16

And beyond the Sabbath:

“He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”
— Luke 5:16

Christ resisted the world by:

• Silence over spectacle
• Obedience over popularity
• Withdrawal over immersion

That same pattern strengthens us.

6. Biblical examples of withdrawal → closeness

A. Enoch — walked away from the world

“Enoch walked with God.”
— Genesis 5:24

Walking implies direction. Enoch didn’t walk with the world and God at the same time.

B. Noah — righteous in a corrupt age

“Noah walked with God.”
— Genesis 6:9

God gave Noah detailed instructions because Noah was close enough to hear.

Closeness precedes understanding.

C. Moses — left Egypt to know God

“Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh.”
— Exodus 2:15

God didn’t reveal Himself in Egypt—but in the wilderness.

“The LORD spoke to Moses face to face.”
— Exodus 33:11

D. Daniel — refused the world’s system

“Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.”
— Daniel 1:8

Daniel lived inside Babylon but did not belong to it.

God rewarded that separation with:

“God gave Daniel understanding in all visions and dreams.”
— Daniel 1:17

E. Elijah — met God in quiet withdrawal

“Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD.”
— 1 Kings 19:11–12

God was not in the noise—but in the still small voice.

The world is loud. God is often quiet.

7. Sabbath-keeping trains the soul to withdraw

The Sabbath is weekly practice for a bigger life pattern:

• Stop striving
• Stop consuming
• Stop performing
• Start listening

“Be still, and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10

That stillness is increasingly rare—and deeply powerful.

8. Why Sabbath-keepers often feel “out of step”

Because they are.

“You are not of the world.”
— John 17:16

The Sabbath makes you visibly different—not to exalt yourself, but to remain aligned with God.

In summary

The Bible shows that:

• The Sabbath is sanctified time for closeness
• Withdrawal from the world precedes deeper understanding
• God reveals Himself to those who step away and listen
• Sabbath-keeping is a sign of trust, not control

And this promise still stands:

“Those who honor Me I will honor.”
— 1 Samuel 2:30

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Below is a Sabbath-at-home structure focused on closeness, followed by a clear, printable-style chart contrasting the world’s way with God’s way.

A Sabbath-at-Home Structure (Focused on Closeness)

Think of the Sabbath as three movements: entering → dwelling → releasing.

1. Preparing to Enter the Sabbath (Before Sunset)

Purpose: Clear space so the Sabbath doesn’t compete with the world.

Practical steps

• Finish buying, selling, and work early (Nehemiah 10:31)
• Tidy your space—not for perfection, but peace
• Put away news, social media, and entertainment
• Set out Bible, notebook, simple food

Heart posture

“I am stepping out of Pharaoh’s system and into God’s rest.”

“Remember that you were a slave… therefore the LORD commanded you to keep the Sabbath.”
— Deuteronomy 5:15

2. Opening the Sabbath (At Sunset)

Purpose: Acknowledge God’s presence in sanctified time.

Simple opening (5–10 minutes)

• Light a candle or sit quietly
• Read Genesis 2:1–3 or Isaiah 58:13–14
• Short prayer:
  “Father, thank You for this time You set apart. Help us rest in You.”

No rush. No performance.

3. Sabbath Morning: Drawing Near Through the Word

Purpose: Listening instead of consuming.

Suggested flow

1. Scripture reading (slow, aloud if possible)
• Psalm 92 (Sabbath psalm)
• Exodus 31:12–17
• Mark 2:27–28
2. Quiet meditation
• Ask: What does this show me about God?
• Sit with one verse
3. Prayer
• Gratitude first
• Honest pouring out (Psalm 62:8)

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

4. Midday: Rest Without Guilt

Purpose: Trust God enough to stop striving.

What rest looks like

• A nap
• Quiet walk
• Reading Scripture or edifying material
• Gentle conversation about God’s works

What it is not

• Catching up on chores
• Sports, shopping, entertainment
• Turning the Sabbath into another task list

“In returning and rest you shall be saved.” — Isaiah 30:15

5. Sabbath Afternoon: Reflection & Alignment

Purpose: Let God realign the heart.

Simple questions

• What pulled at my heart this week?
• Where did I feel closest to God?
• What do I need to release?

Write if helpful. Silence is fine too.

6. Closing the Sabbath (Near Sunset)

Purpose: Carry Sabbath peace into the week.

• Thank God for His presence
• Ask for strength to walk differently in the coming days
• Read Isaiah 58:14 or Psalm 23

The goal is not to end closeness—but to extend it.

Simple Chart: “World’s Way vs God’s Way”

You can print this, teach from it, or just keep it visible.

World’s Way	God’s Way
Constant activity	Sanctified rest
Value = productivity	Value = obedience
Noise and distraction	Stillness and listening
Buy, sell, consume	Trust and refrain
Self-promotion	Humility
Fear of lack	Faith in provision
Conform to culture	Be set apart
Time is money	Time is sacred
Live for now	Live for the Kingdom
Works to prove worth	Rest in God’s work

“You shall be holy, for I am holy.” — Leviticus 11:44

Why this works

The Sabbath doesn’t just tell you not to live like the world—it trains you not to.

Week by week, it:

• Loosens the world’s grip
• Sharpens spiritual hearing
• Deepens trust
• Strengthens identity

And this promise remains:

“I will walk among you and be your God.”
— Leviticus 26:12

Final Encouragement

The Sabbath is not about doing more for God—it is about making room for Him.

Week by week, faithful Sabbath-keeping loosens the world’s grip and strengthens closeness with the One who sanctifies us.