Draw Near in 2026

Introduction

The New Year Reality: 2026 brings excitement, apprehension, and hope.

The Question: What needs to happen for you to say "2026 was a blessed year" by next January?

The Danger of the "Default Mode": If we don’t intentionally draw near, we will inevitably drift away.

The Scripture: Hebrews 4:14–16

Hebrews 4:14–16 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

I. Why do we need to draw near to God?

1. To hold fast to our confession (v. 14)

The original audience faced physical and spiritual persecution.

Today, we face a culture where biblical values are unpopular or mocked.

We cannot stand firm in our faith if we are distant from God.

2. Because we are full of weakness (v. 15)

Physical weakness: Aging, sickness, and bodily limitations.

Spiritual weakness: Struggling to love God fully; the pull of idols.

3. Because we face trials and temptations (v. 15)

Active opposition from the world and the devil.

January excitement moves to "March Slump": When New Year zeal fades, we tend to fall back into habits and ways. Sin feels overwhelming.

4. Because we often lack assurance (v. 16)

Guilt makes us feel God couldn’t possibly love us.

Satan uses our struggles to whisper: "Real Christians don't struggle like this."

Application

This means we should take some time to reflect on your own heart and life.

Have you been drawing near to God, or have you been drifting away from Him?

What are the weaknesses in your life? How can you bring them to God?

How are you being tried and tempted right now? Bring those to God and ask Him to lead you away from temptation and deliver you from evil.

Are you confident in your identity as a child of God? What is the reason that God loves you and cares deeply for you?

II. How do we know God wants us to draw near?

Jesus is our sympathizing Great High Priest (v. 14–15)

He is not just an earthly priest; He is the Son of God who "passed through the heavens."

He knows the weight of humanity; He was tempted in every way, yet stayed without sin.

God’s rule is defined by Grace (v. 16)

The "White House" Illustration: We don't approach as strangers who might be tackled; we approach as children of the King.

We come boldly to a "Throne of Grace," not a throne of wrath.

God’s desire is to help us in our time of need (v. 16)

He is a "very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).

The "Good Father" Illustration: He doesn't turn His back when we are hurting; He provides the "bandage" and the "hug" our souls need.

Application

Practically, we need to strive to view God through the lens of the gospel.

The greatest danger to our prayer and devotional lives is getting God wrong. If we look at God through a lens other than the gospel, we won’t draw near to Him through Christ.

A wrong view of God says, “God can’t love someone as messed up as you.”

A wrong view of God says, “God won’t help you again because you keep on messing up.”

A wrong view of God says, “God will never be pleased with you because you’re just going to mess up again.”

A wrong view of God says, “Jesus died to save sinners, but you’re not one of them.”

A wrong view of God says, “Even if you think you believe in Christ, you don’t because real Christians don’t struggle like this.

This view of God keeps us from drawing near. We will try to run and hide from God when we think like this. We have to replace these anti-gospel views of God with biblical views of Him.

Here’s what a proper view of God says:

It says, “God shouldn’t love someone as messed up as me, but He didn’t send His Son for worthy people. He sent Him to save the worst of sinners.”

It says, “God is my Refuge and my Help. By His grace, I may mess up again, but I’m not a slave to sin.

It says, “God is pleased with me through Christ’s finished work on the cross and His Spirit’s work in me.

It says, “Jesus died to save sinners, of whom I’m the foremost!”

It says, “Even though I struggle like I do, God’s grace is greater than my sins!”

The only way to draw near the throne of grace with confidence is by seeing God properly and understanding ourselves in light of the gospel. When we know we’re His, we will come to Him with the boldness and confidence He commands of us.

III. What are practical ways to draw near to God?

1. Seek God Actively

Plan your day around Him; don't just check a box, pursue a Person.

Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

2. Cleanse your Heart

Repentance removes the barriers of "double-minded" living.

James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

3. Call His Name

Use prayer and worship to express your enjoyment of God.

Psalm 18:3 “I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”

4. Seek Him Earnestly

Pray for and develop a "soul-thirst" that refuses to settle for religion without presence.

Psalm 63:1 “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

5. Find Refuge in Him

Don’t try to fix everything yourself; Trust Him to be your Shepherd.

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

6. Keep Believing the Gospel

Remember that you were "brought near by the blood of Christ."

Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Conclusion:

We need to be near to God in 2026.

The Gospel Call: If you are far off, the only way to the Father is through faith in Jesus Christ.

Believers: Keep this gospel message in your heart and on your lips. The finished work and the gracious interceding work of Christ are what keeps us each and every day! The Holy Spirit continually applies this gospel message to our hearts day in and day out!

The 2026 Promise: We don't know what the year holds, but we know Who holds the year.

The Final Charge: You will not regret walking with the Lord. Draw near to the throne of grace with boldness!