“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” – James 4:8
God’s Desire for Relationship
We often think about our relationship with God in terms of rituals or duties, but we must remember that God desires a close relationship with us. He longs for us to come to Him, to communicate with Him, and to be in fellowship with Him. When we choose to push God away, we are distancing ourselves from the source of love, hope, and strength. Every day offers us a new opportunity to draw near to God, and as we do, He draws near to us. Bible verses about pushing God away can remind us that we are invited into this inviting relationship. Let us not reject it but embrace it with open hearts and minds, welcoming His presence into our lives.
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
Revelation 3:20
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” – Revelation 3:20
Psalms 145:18
“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” – Psalms 145:18
1 Chronicles 28:9
“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought.” – 1 Chronicles 28:9
Jeremiah 29:13
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13
Consequences of Separation
When we push God away, we may not think about the impact this has on our lives. The Bible speaks about the consequences of separation from God’s presence. We may experience confusion, hopelessness, and a lack of direction. God’s voice becomes faint in our lives when we choose to turn away from Him. By recognizing the truths from the Bible verses about pushing God away, we can understand the importance of staying close to God. He is our rock and refuge, and apart from Him, we wander in uncertainty. Let us remember to keep God at the forefront of our lives, for our choices will significantly shape our journey.
Romans 1:21
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” – Romans 1:21
Proverbs 15:29
“The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” – Proverbs 15:29
Isaiah 59:2
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” – Isaiah 59:2
Luke 13:27
“But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’” – Luke 13:27
James 4:4
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” – James 4:4
The Call to Return
Even when we find ourselves pushing God away, His call to return is always present. The Bible assures us of God’s unwavering love and readiness to welcome us back. We mustn’t forget that God is patient and continuously seeks to draw us into His embrace. Repentance and acceptance of God’s love can mend our brokenness. The verses remind us that no matter how far we may stray, God’s arms are always open, ready to receive us again. Each day is a new call back to Him, an invitation to rekindle that connection and allow His love to work within us.
Hosea 14:1
“Return, Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!” – Hosea 14:1
Joel 2:13
“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” – Joel 2:13
Zechariah 1:3
“Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.” – Zechariah 1:3
Luke 15:20
“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
God’s Grace Amidst Rejection
Even in times when we push God away, He still reaches out to us with unwavering grace. It is sufficiency in His grace that covers our shortcomings and failures. We may feel unworthy or too far gone, but God’s grace reminds us that it is never too late to ask for forgiveness. His love is a gift and an opportunity for us to reconcile our relationship with Him. The verses about God’s grace highlight that we are accepted, not based on what we have done but on what God has done for us. By recognizing and embracing His grace, we alleviate the barriers we’ve built by distancing ourselves from Him.
Ephesians 2:8
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Titus 3:5
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” – Titus 3:5
Romans 5:20
“The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” – Romans 5:20
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
Drawing Strength through Faith
When we recognize the tendency to push God away, we can also lean into our faith for strength and assurance. Scripture encourages us to rely on God’s promises and the power of prayer. Our faith is a stronghold during difficult times and a reminder of God’s presence even when we stray. We must nurture our faith and keep our hearts open to God. He listens, comforts, and carries our burdens, allowing us to traverse through challenges. By engaging with our faith, we find hope and guidance, reminding ourselves that God is always with us, rooting for us to draw closer to Him.
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” – Ephesians 6:10
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Choosing to Draw Closer
Ultimately, we have the choice to either push God away or draw closer to Him. We hold the power to decide how we respond to His loving invitations. Let’s choose to open our hearts and minds, to dive into His Word, and to communicate with Him through prayer. When we make the choice to draw closer, we will experience a transformation in our lives filled with peace and purpose. Bible verses about pushing God away highlight the importance of connection and remind us of the joy in embracing a loving relationship with Him. Together, we can take steps every day to strengthen our faith, leading us to a life that embodies God’s love.
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
Hebrews 10:22
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:22
1 Peter 5:6
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
Final Thoughts
Pushing God away is something we might find ourselves doing, intentionally or unintentionally. It is essential to recognize that God loves us unconditionally and desires a strong relationship with each of us. Scripture reminds us that even when we drift away, He is always waiting to welcome us back.
As we explore these Bible verses, we are encouraged by His grace, reminding us that each day offers a new chance to draw closer to God. It’s comforting to know He is there to guide and support us, continually inviting us back into His presence.
Let us take the time to reflect on our relationship with God and ensure we are choosing to stay connected. We can always seek God’s face, turning toward Him instead of away. If you wish to explore more about God’s nature and our relationship with Him, check out these pages on forsaking God and being forsaken.