Or do you suppose it is of no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? James 4:5 ESV

Our daughter and son-in-law live very far from us, so visits are infrequent. Each of us is employed and busy with life, so it is hard to connect regularly by phone. Sometimes I so greatly long to see them that I ache to hear their voices and spend time together.

Longing to see my family doesn’t surprise me. What amazes me is that God, my Creator, loves me and yearns to have a relationship with me.

God’s desire goes beyond spending time together with us. He wants more and more of us.

God yearns for our friendship.

When we’re friends of God, we obey Him. Jesus linked our obedience to our love for Him in John, chapter 14.

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. John 14:21 ESV

Friendship with God is contrasted with friendship with the world, which is described as loving the world, with the desires of the flesh, the eyes, and with pride of life (1 John 2:15–16). The world’s friendship makes one an enemy to God (James 4:4).

God instructs us how to live in friendship with Him.

God gives grace to the person who is humble before Him (James 4:6). The Holy Spirit helps us to obey God. The passage in James continues with God telling us how to get the devil to leave us.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7–8 ESV (Emphasis mine)

It is by following God and not ourselves that we can resist the enemy. God gives us the power to resist temptation and the devil’s schemes. I love that when we draw near to God, He is near to us!

When I’m near to God, I have an easier time obeying Him. My thoughts go to the sermon or Bible verses I focused on earlier in the day. I can pray for others, and be gracious and not grumble at the driver who cut me off or at some other offense.

When I’m not near to God, my pride kicks in. I complain because something’s not the way I want it. God rebukes me for my sin. Then I confess my sin and seek His faithful forgiveness. Often I have to confess and seek forgiveness from someone else as well. God purifies my heart.

God’s desire is for us to be saved and to know truth.

God yearns for us to live eternally with Him. Out of His love for us, He provided salvation from our sin and it’s eternal consequences. He wants us to follow truth, not the lies of our deceitful enemy.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:3–6 ESV

Are you a friend of God?

• Have you asked for His forgiveness for your sin?
• Do you have salvation through Christ Jesus?
• How have you experienced God’s grace?

I received Jesus as a young child. I loved Jesus and wanted Him to be my Savior. I don’t think I realized that Jesus being Lord in my life meant He was in control. It’s an ongoing process of allowing Him to be the boss of areas in my life. His grace is new every morning. My desire is that I will yearn after Him like He does after me.

Lord, thank you for yearning after us. Help us to desire You above all else. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Scriptures marked ESV are taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV): Scriptures taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.