James 4:8a contains both an invitation and a promise: God is pleased when we desire his nearness and has promised us his presence when we come. But, perhaps you have not yet tasted the sweetness of being near to him enough to want more of it, or perhaps you have experienced it but view it merely as a “nice to have”, rather than an essential. 

In my 30 years of Christian journey, I have noticed that the times I most tend to desire God’s presence are when I am weak, hurt, heartbroken, disappointed, or feeling as though no one truly understands me. James 4:8 tells us to “come near to God” which means we don’t need to wait for a crisis to approach him because he has promised that whenever we come, he will come near to us too. 

Although I have experienced his presence through prayer, Scripture reading, or quiet reflection, I find myself most comforted and encouraged when immersing myself in his Word. When I read, I hear God’s declaration of his love, protection, and promises toward me, as well as his vows to take care of me into eternity. That is often more than sufficient to lift me out of despair, reminding me of who I am (his child) and who he is (my Father and the Ruler of all things). Immersing myself in his Word gives me a heavenly perspective, changes my view of the circumstances, and helps me put my hope in him again. However, there have been times when I was so weak during my depression that I couldn’t even read, pray, or meditate. In those painful moments, all I could do was cry out “Jesus, help me!” But even those weak, desperate cries brought me strength to endure.

While God gladly welcomes us, we must be mindful of the second half of the verse: to “wash our hands and purify our hearts,” recognizing that he is a holy God. We cannot approach a holy God while simultaneously cherishing the sins of the world. To do so is to be double-minded, and such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord (James 1:7).

Much like a church retreat, where we intentionally step away from our regular routines to focus on him, drawing near to God throughout the day is like going to mini-retreats to enjoy his presence, reset our focus, and remember that true peace and joy can only be found in him. It is a practice that refreshes and revives the soul. Try it, and you will undoubtedly find yourself wanting more.