COMING BEFORE GOD By: Major Frank Materu

Key Scripture

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” — James 4:8 (KJV)

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INTRODUCTION

Coming before God should not be an occasional activity that we engage in only when we face difficulties or need something from Him. It should become a daily practice, a spiritual discipline, and a way of life. God desires His people to learn what it means to direct their thoughts toward Him, listen to His commandments, and remain attentive to His presence. He calls us to live with hearts that are continually turned toward Him rather than being consumed by the distractions and evil influences of this world.

Many people claim to belong to God, yet their attention is fixed on things that draw them away from Him. They watch, pursue, and entertain what is contrary to His truth while neglecting the privilege of coming into His presence with humble and attentive hearts. They wonder why they struggle to recognize His direction, yet they have not cultivated the habit of seeking Him sincerely.

The Lord desires a people who are attentive to Him, who humble themselves before Him, and who welcome His presence into their daily lives. When we make it our practice to turn our thoughts toward God, we become more attentive to His Word and more prepared to follow His instructions. We begin to recognize the importance of His guidance and to appreciate the goodness He has prepared for those who seek Him.

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MAKE IT YOUR HABIT TO COME BEFORE GOD

We must develop the habit of coming before the Living God. This should not be limited to particular moments of prayer or seasons of difficulty. It should become part of our daily lives, shaping our thoughts, decisions, attitudes, and conduct.

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” — Isaiah 55:6 (KJV)

When we continually seek the Lord, we train our hearts to recognize our dependence upon Him. We learn to pause before making decisions, to pray before taking action, and to examine our desires in the light of His Word. Rather than allowing our minds to wander wherever worldly influences lead them, we deliberately direct our attention toward the One who gives us life and wisdom.

This discipline requires consistency. We cannot expect to become attentive to God while continually neglecting His presence. Just as a person develops skill through regular practice, spiritual attentiveness grows as we consistently seek the Lord, meditate upon His Word, and respond to His instruction.

Let coming before God become your way of life. Do not wait until trouble surrounds you before you remember to seek Him. Make room for Him every day, and learn to live with a heart that desires His presence above the distractions of this world.

LEARN TO FIX YOUR THOUGHTS UPON GOD

God desires His people to understand what it means to set their minds upon Him. He wants us to recognize the importance of giving Him our attention rather than allowing our thoughts to be dominated by evil, confusion, and worldly desires.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” — Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

Many people profess to be God's servants, yet their minds are occupied with things that oppose His will. Their attention is drawn toward corruption, ungodliness, and the attractions of the world. They give these things time and consideration while giving little attention to the Word of God.

We must recognize that what continually occupies our thoughts influences our desires, decisions, and behavior. When we direct our minds toward the Lord, His truth becomes central to how we understand life and respond to the circumstances around us. We become more conscious of our responsibility to obey Him and less willing to entertain what draws us away from His ways.

Fixing our thoughts upon God does not mean ignoring our daily responsibilities. Rather, it means carrying out those responsibilities with hearts that remain conscious of Him, seeking to honor Him in everything we do.

BECOME ATTENTIVE TO THE VOICE OF GOD

One reason people struggle to recognize God's direction is that they fail to give Him their attention. Their minds are occupied with many other things, and they do not take time to listen, reflect upon His Word, and discern what He requires of them.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27 (KJV)

To be attentive to God means being willing to hear and obey His truth. We must not approach Him merely to speak about our concerns while refusing to consider what He has already revealed in His Word. Prayer must be accompanied by a willingness to listen, learn, and submit to His authority.

God's guidance will never contradict His revealed truth. Therefore, we must become familiar with Scripture and allow it to shape our understanding. We should also cultivate quietness of heart, humility, and patience so that we do not rush into decisions driven by impulse or personal desire.

When we develop this attentiveness, we become better prepared to recognize the wisdom of God's Word and apply it to our daily lives. We learn to distinguish between our own preferences and the requirements of faithful obedience.

Let us therefore become people who listen carefully to the Lord. Let us not be so occupied with our own voices, opinions, and ambitions that we neglect His instruction.

THANK GOD FOR HIS WILLINGNESS TO GUIDE US

We should be deeply grateful that the Living God takes an interest in our lives. He has given us His Word, provided access to Him through prayer, and offered wisdom to those who seek Him. He does not call us to wander without direction but invites us to acknowledge Him in all our ways.

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)

Think about the goodness of God. He allows us to approach Him, seek His wisdom, and ask for His help. He instructs us through His Word, corrects us when we stray, and teaches us to walk in righteousness. His willingness to guide us should never be treated as something ordinary or insignificant.

How foolish it would be to ignore such a privilege while giving our attention to things that cannot offer the wisdom and life that come from Him. We must not take His patience for granted or become careless about the direction He provides.

Let thanksgiving become part of our daily fellowship with God. Thank Him for His Word, for His correction, for His guidance, and for the opportunity to grow in our understanding of His ways. A grateful heart is more prepared to recognize His goodness and respond to Him with humility.

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WALK IN WISDOM, NOT FOOLISHNESS

God calls His people to walk in wisdom. He does not desire us to be careless about the spiritual opportunities and instructions He provides. Instead, He wants us to value His counsel, recognize His goodness, and respond faithfully to His truth.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.” — Ephesians 5:15 (KJV)

The foolish person neglects what is valuable and gives attention to what is destructive. Such a person may have opportunities to grow in the knowledge of God but chooses distractions instead. Rather than receiving instruction, the foolish person may become absorbed in activities that weaken spiritual attentiveness.

The wise person, however, recognizes the value of fellowship with God. Such a person seeks Him with gratitude, receives His instruction with humility, and treasures the good things He provides. The wise understand that God's presence is not something to be neglected while pursuing temporary pleasures.

We must therefore examine how we spend our time, what we allow to occupy our minds, and what we prioritize in our lives. Are our daily habits drawing us closer to God, or are they making us increasingly inattentive to Him?

Let us choose the path of wisdom. Let us value the privilege of knowing God and refuse to waste our lives pursuing what has no lasting spiritual value.

HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE THE LORD

Humility is essential to a life lived in the presence of God. We must lower ourselves in our hearts, acknowledge our dependence upon Him, and recognize that we cannot successfully direct our lives apart from His wisdom.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” — James 4:10 (KJV)

Pride makes people resistant to correction. It convinces them that they know enough, understand enough, and can manage their lives without submitting to God's authority. When pride governs the heart, people become less willing to listen and more determined to follow their own desires.

Humility produces a different attitude. A humble person recognizes the need for God's wisdom and is willing to be taught. Such a person does not consider correction an insult but receives it as an opportunity to grow. Humility opens the heart to repentance, learning, and obedience.

We must not attempt to force God to approve our own ways. Instead, we must surrender our desires to Him and allow His truth to govern our decisions. The Lord calls us to draw near with sincere hearts, not with prideful demands or a spirit of self-importance.

Let us therefore guard against arrogance and self-exaltation. May we become people who continually acknowledge our need for God and who welcome His presence with reverence.

DO NOT DRIVE AWAY THE PRESENCE OF GOD THROUGH PRIDE

God desires to dwell among a people who honor Him. We must therefore be careful not to allow pride, rebellion, or persistent disobedience to govern our hearts. Instead of resisting His authority, we should humble ourselves and seek to live in a manner that honors His holiness.

“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” — James 4:6 (KJV)

Pride creates a barrier to spiritual growth because it makes people unwilling to submit. A proud heart may desire God's blessings while resisting His correction. It may want His presence while refusing to abandon the attitudes and practices that contradict His Word.

We must not treat the presence of God carelessly. We should approach Him with reverence, repentance, and a sincere desire to obey. Where we have sinned, we must confess and turn away from our wrongdoing. Where pride has taken root, we must ask God to teach us humility.

God's presence is not something we should attempt to control or manipulate. Our responsibility is to honor Him, seek Him sincerely, and walk in obedience to His revealed truth. As we humble ourselves before Him, we make room for His instruction to shape our lives.

WELCOME THE HOLY FIRE OF GOD

We must welcome the refining work of God in our lives. His holiness exposes what is impure and calls us to abandon whatever contradicts His character. Rather than resisting His correction, we should desire to be cleansed and transformed by His truth.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10 (KJV)

The fire of God is a biblical picture of His holiness and refining work. When we invite Him to search our hearts, we must be prepared to face the attitudes, desires, and actions that need to change. We cannot sincerely ask Him to transform us while insisting on keeping everything that displeases Him.

God's refining work teaches us to walk in greater purity, sincerity, and obedience. It brings our conduct under the authority of His Word and helps us become more faithful in our service to Him.

Let us welcome the Lord's work within us. Let us not resist when He exposes our weaknesses or calls us to repentance. Instead, let us yield ourselves to Him so that our lives may increasingly reflect His holiness.

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LIVE IN THE LIFE-GIVING PRESENCE OF GOD

The presence of God is precious to His people. In His presence, we find direction through His truth, strength to continue in faith, and wisdom to face the responsibilities of life. We must therefore seek Him sincerely and refuse to allow distractions to take His rightful place in our hearts.

“In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” — Psalm 16:11 (KJV)

God's presence should not be reduced to an emotional experience or a moment of religious excitement. It concerns our fellowship with Him and our willingness to live under His authority. We honor His presence by seeking Him in prayer, obeying His Word, and allowing His truth to govern our daily conduct.

When we draw near to Him, we learn to depend upon His wisdom rather than trusting only in our own understanding. We discover the importance of gratitude, humility, and faithful obedience. We become more conscious that our lives belong to Him and that we are called to honor Him in everything.

Let us continually welcome His presence into our lives. Let us seek Him when we rise, remember Him throughout our daily responsibilities, and turn to Him when we face difficult decisions. May our hearts remain attentive to His Word and willing to follow His direction.

SUMMARY

Coming before God should become a daily spiritual discipline. We must learn to direct our thoughts toward Him, listen to His Word, and remain attentive to His guidance. Rather than allowing worldly distractions and evil influences to occupy our hearts, we should cultivate a life of prayer, gratitude, humility, and obedience.

God desires His people to walk in wisdom, receive His instruction, and welcome His refining work. Pride and carelessness hinder spiritual growth, while humility prepares the heart to receive correction and grow in righteousness.

The Lord invites us to draw near to Him and walk according to His truth. His presence is precious, His wisdom is trustworthy, and His guidance is essential to a life that honors Him.

CONCLUSION

Make it your daily practice to come before the Living God. Direct your thoughts toward Him, listen attentively to His Word, and receive His instruction with gratitude. Do not allow pride to harden your heart or worldly distractions to draw you away from His presence.

Humble yourself before Him and welcome His refining work. Seek His wisdom, acknowledge Him in all your ways, and allow His truth to guide your decisions. The more faithfully you seek Him, the more your life can be shaped by His Word and directed toward His purposes.

CALL TO ACTION

Beginning today, establish a consistent time to seek God through prayer and the study of His Word. Examine the things that occupy your thoughts and identify the habits that distract you from Him. Where you have been careless, become attentive. Where you have been proud, humble yourself. Where you have ignored His instruction, repent and return to obedience.

Make it your determination to live consciously before God, seeking His counsel and honoring Him in your daily decisions.

ENCOURAGEMENT

The Living God invites you to draw near to Him. You do not have to live carelessly, without direction, or constantly distracted by the things of this world. You can cultivate a life of fellowship with Him through prayer, His Word, humility, and obedience.

Keep seeking His presence. Keep your heart teachable. Welcome His correction and trust His wisdom. May your life become increasingly fruitful as you walk in the light of His truth and remain faithful to His purposes.

PRAYER OF SALVATION

Heavenly Father, I come before You in the name of Jesus Christ. I acknowledge that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness and mercy. Please forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose again. I receive Him as my Lord and Savior. Give me a new heart that desires Your presence, seeks Your wisdom, and delights in obeying Your Word. Deliver me from pride, distraction, and every attitude that draws me away from You. Teach me to humble myself before You, listen to Your instruction, and walk faithfully in Your ways. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me honor You throughout my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.