Happiness in Drawing Near to God

One of my favorite Puritans is Thomas Watson. His sermon, "Happiness in Drawing Near to God" is based on Psalm 73:28, "It is good for me to draw near to God." The following is from his conclusion.

How shall we do to draw near to God?

Let us contemplate the excellencies of God. He is the ‘God of glory,’ (Psalm 29:3), full of orient [glowing, luster] beauty: in comparison of whom both angels and men are but as the ‘small dust of the balance.’ He is the ‘God of love,’ (2 Cor. 13:11), who triumphs in acts of mercy. Well may this encourage us in our approaches to him who delights to display the banner of free grace to sinners. If we should hear of a person of honour who was of a lovely disposition, obliging all that came to him by acts of kindness and civility, it would make us ambitiously desirous to ingratiate ourselves with him and to obtain his acquaintance. God is the most sovereign good, the wonder of love, ready to diffuse the silver streams of his bounty to indigent [destitute] creatures. This, if anything, will make us willing to draw near to him and acquiesce [passively agree] in him as the centre of felicity.

If we would draw near to God, let us study our own wants. Let us consider in what need we stand for God and that we cannot be happy without him. The prodigal never drew near to his father, until he ‘began to be in want,’ (Luke 15). A proud sinner, who was never convinced of his want, minds not to come near God; he hath a stock of his own to live upon . We are lords; we will come no more unto thee (Jer 2:31). -- A full stomach despises the honey-comb. -- It is the sense of want which brings us near to God. Why did so many lame and paralytical resort to Christ, but because they wanted a cure. Why doth the thirsty man draw near to a fountain but because he wants water. Why doth a condemned man draw near his prince but because he wants a pardon. -- When a poor soul reviews its wants; I want grace; I want the favour of God, I am damned without Christ; this makes him draw near to God, and be an earnest supplicant for mercy.

If we would draw near to God, let us be careful to clear our interest in God. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (Heb. 10:22). When we know him to be our God, then we draw near to him. The spouse, by virtue of the conjugal union, draws near to her husband, Psalm 48:14, This God is our God.

Let us beg the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God hath a magnetical virtue. Corruption draws the heart from God; the Spirit draws it to him . . . Song of Solomon 1:4, Draw me, we will run after thee. The Spirit, by his omnipotent grace, draws the heart to God not only sweetly, but powerfully.

Let us get our hearts fired with love to God: whichever way love goes, that way the heart is drawn. If God be the treasure delighted in, our hearts will be drawn to him. Servile fear makes the soul fly from God; sacred love makes it fly to him.