Today’s Thought “Am I Qualified?” G. Ward Isaiah 64 6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our wrongdoings, like the wind, take us away. Many times throughout scripture, humanity is urged to “draw near” to Holy God. This in essence promotes intimacy with the Almighty. Our Lord however, cannot be found among the unrighteous and whereas Christ is the Only Mediator and Dispenser of righteousness (because none exists in the whole of mankind unilateral of HIM – Ro.3:10), our confession of sin found in us, along with requesting HIS presence, unlocks the door, to witness HIS Spirit enter our being (cf. John 16:13-15). To be clear, intimacy with God becomes the greatest desire for the believer and although there’s periodic lapse (while we exist in fleshly terms) in what’s best for us, every practitioner of what’s most desired (His lordship over us), craves His shelter. We allow ourselves to be captivated by HIM speaking to us (solely through the spiritual manuscript HE supplies and not mysteriously obtained); requiring it through daily intervals so as to persevere in a world insistent on knowing Him, but more anticipates another’s’ writings or speech for personal directives. Moreover, our spiritual observations won’t intentionally seek those passages we deem fulfilling, but crave true growth, allowing discipline from On High; never desiring to “grow up” and move away from the comfort of the home HE provided (John 14:1-3).