(Deu) 5:5, 22, 24, 26, 28 CJB “At that time I stood between Adonai and you in order to tell you what Adonai was saying; because, on account of the fire, you were afraid and wouldn’t go up onto the mountain. He said, א But why should we keep risking death? This great fire will consume us! If we hear the voice of Adonai our God any more, we will die! You, go near; and hear everything Adonai our God says. Then you will tell us everything Adonai our God says to you; and we will listen to it and do it.’ Oh, how I wish their hearts would stay like this always, that they would fear me and obey all my mitzvot; so that it would go well with them and their children forever. But you, stand here by me; and I will tell you all the mitzvot, laws and rulings which you are to teach them, so that they can obey them in the land I am giving them as their possession.’”
Draw near to God—this is the invitation of Scripture, yet it is the very thing many men resist, just as Israel did in Deuteronomy 5.
“At that time I stood between Adonai and you… because… you were afraid… If we hear the voice of Adonai our God any more, we will die!”
The people feared God’s holiness. They recognized their sin. So instead of coming near, they stepped back.
And men are still doing the same thing today.
Why Men Struggle to Draw Near to God
The issue is not that men don’t believe in God—it’s that they fear Him rightly but respond wrongly.
They know:
- God is holy
- They are not
- Judgment is real
So instead of running to God, they avoid Him.
They stay distant.
They stay distracted.
They stay in the shadows.
But distance from God is not safety—it’s danger.
Because there is nowhere to go from the God who is everywhere and knows everything.
Draw Near to God Through Christ, Not Fear
Here’s what changes everything.
In Christ, we are no longer kept at a distance—we are invited in.
Through Jesus:
- We are made a kingdom of priests
- We are welcomed as sons and daughters
- We are brought into intimate fellowship with God
The same God who revealed Himself in fire on the mountain has now revealed Himself in the person of Jesus.
He came near to us so we could draw near to Him.
God is still to be feared—but now He is also to be deeply loved.
He is:
- Compassionate
- Merciful
- Gracious
- Generous
This is not a God to avoid—this is a God to pursue.
The Heart God Desires
God said of Israel:
“Oh, how I wish their hearts would stay like this always, that they would fear me and obey all my mitzvot…”
God desires a heart that both fears Him and obeys Him.
Not fear that runs away—but fear that draws near.
Not distance—but devotion.
Drawing near to God is where life is found.
It is where:
- Joy becomes real
- Peace becomes steady
- Purpose becomes clear
The Call for Men Today
Men, we don’t need more passive belief—we need active pursuit.
Too many men:
- Know about God but don’t seek Him
- Attend church but don’t walk with Him
- Fear Him but don’t love Him
The Holy Spirit has been given to reveal God to us and welcome us into fellowship with Him.
Jesus became one of us so we could truly know Him.
He understands you.
He knows you.
And He wants you near.
To draw near to God is not loss—it is life.
Run Today’s Play
Stop keeping your distance from God.
- Acknowledge your fear – Let it lead you to God, not away from Him
- Come through Christ – You are welcomed as a son, not rejected as an enemy
- Seek Him daily – Prioritize Scripture and prayer over distraction
- Walk in obedience – Prove your love for God through your actions
Draw near to God—and you will find life, joy, and peace.
Now is the day.
Stop hiding in the shadows.
Step into the light.
