Near - by Darlene Free Edmondson 

“It is good for me to draw near to God” (Psalm 73:28 NKJV). 

God created a garden paradise for the first humans, Adam and Eve. The couple broke God’s one rule---which He warned would kill them [spiritually]. Their sin alienated them from God and contaminated the world. 

Though Adam and Eve sinned, they were still God’s beloved children. However, disobedience separated their intimate relationship---they were far from God.

God’s wrath, which should have been ours, was poured out on His Son to pay all mankind’s sin debt. Jesus bore a ghastly crucifixion and was marred beyond human recognition (Isaiah 52:14) that we might live. Forever. 

God’s requirement: a sinless Lamb’s blood atonement for the sin-sick world. Therefore, we are granted an undeserved privilege of drawing near God’s grace-throne and finding mercy (Hebrews 4:16). Father God’s plan of salvation was the only way for us to be near Him “But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near” (Ephesians 2:13 Amplified).
James, a brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3), admonishes us to seek God above all else “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8 NKJV). 

“I am thine O Lord; I have heard Thy voice, and it told Thy love to me. Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord to thy precious bleeding side” Fanny Crosby 1874 

Today’s Christian Freelance writer and her husband Lee have four adult children and live in South Georgia USA. Contact