Drawing Near to God Through a Seeking Heart

In the hustle of daily life, it's easy to feel weighed down by the tasks at hand which seem only to point out our shortcomings. Those moments of weakness, poor choices, or habits that pull us away from who we aspire to be.

We wonder: How can we stand before a holy God, claiming any sense of worthiness, when our lives are marked by flaws? Yet, the Scriptures reveal a profound truth: righteousness isn't about flawless perfection but about a heart that relentlessly pursues God, repents, and trusts in His mercy. This is a common struggle many face, from the pressures of work and relationships to the quiet battles within.

The good news is that the Bible invites us to turn these imperfections into opportunities for deeper communion with the Lord, pointing us ultimately to the redemptive work of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10: 2-6 (Wycliffe)

2For I pray you, that lest I present be not bold by the trust, in which I am guessed to be bold into some, that deem us, as if we wander after the flesh. 3 For we, walking in the flesh, fight not after the flesh. 4 For the arms of our knighthood be not fleshly, but mighty by God to the destruction of strengths [to the destruction of wardings, or strengths]. 5 And we destroy counsels, and all highness that raises itself against the science of God, and drive into captivity all understanding into the service of Christ. 6 And we stand ready to punish all disobedience, when your obedience shall be filled. 

Here, Paul is not talking about the battles we might fight with others around us, he is talking about the spiritual war that happens within us every moment, in our thoughts, emotions, and decisions.  

For me, standing ready to punish all disobedience can only be accomplished by inviting the Holy Spirit into every thought, let him stand in judgement of those thoughts, because I, being beaten, divided and confused by the lies I have listened to, cannot within myself solve these problems I face.

Typically, I’m reminded of the provision he has already given. In some cases that is as simple as having a gallon of milk in the refrigerator. In other cases, I’m reminded of songs I learned as a child but only understood much later. In times when my spirit is heavy I might have a dream, or another person is brought forward in my life, sometimes with an offhand comment I am brought to realize the depth of God’s caring and why those hard times  happened, that I might give these things that I cannot handle over to God, and live in the peace he has already provisioned for me.

Consider the heartfelt prayer where David boldly asks God to examine and affirm his life.

Psalm 26 (NIV)

1 Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life. I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. 2 Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; 3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

At first glance, this declaration of blamelessness might seem audacious for anyone aware of human frailty. But delving into the original Hebrew sheds light on its depth. The word "vindicate" comes from shaphat, meaning to judge or dispense justice thoroughly, implying not self-righteousness but a plea for God to evaluate and uphold one's cause with fairness.

Not sinless perfection, but a life oriented toward sincerity and undivided loyalty to God. David is not denying faults but affirming a commitment to walk in God's ways, avoiding evil company and loving His presence (Psalm 26:4-8). This reflects a heart that, despite stumbling, never ceases seeking divine truth.

Much later and now King, David he writes after the prophet Nathan pointed out the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba:

Psalm 51 (NIV)

1 Have mercy on me, O God,  according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.

Another cry from a contrite heart, we see the plea: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions" (Psalm 51:1). Here, the focus is on acknowledging sin and turning back to God, who delights in a broken spirit rather than outward sacrifices (Psalm 51:17). The New Testament builds on this, emphasizing that all humanity shares in imperfection:

Romans 3:23-24

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus"

Righteousness, then, is imputed—not earned—through faith in Christ's atoning work on the cross.

2 Corinthians 5:21

“God made him who had no sin [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Repentance is the bridge that closes the gap our sins create.

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"

 This isn't a one-time event but a continual posture, as seen in Acts 3:19. Even willful failures find mercy when met with genuine turning, for God's forgiveness is rooted in His character, not our merit. Jesus' parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 illustrates this beautifully: a wayward child returns in humility, only to be embraced by a father who runs to meet him, restoring him fully (Luke 15:11-32).

Charles Spurgeon, in his Treasury of David, highlights the psalm's call to discernment: "Even among professed followers of truth we must make distinctions," urging us to separate from evil influences while clinging to God's faithfulness. These insights remind us that pursuing holiness amid flaws isn't about isolation but about community rooted in biblical truth, always pointing back to the cross.

Diligently Seeking God

Through prayer filled devotion, seek God with every burden. Lois Albert Banks, in his book "Great Promises of the Bible" uses the metaphor of a reservoir, where our grounding in the lessons of the bible build up a great strength to withstand the pressures of the day. He writes, "No man can do his best if he is using up, every day, the last vestige of strength there is in him. We must have a little reserve to draw on... I am sure that the secret of happiness and true comfort lies in the spirit of prayer. If we thus live, we shall always have a storehouse of sweet memories that will give us courage and forbearance and patience when we most need them."

In our everyday battles—whether it's lingering regrets from past decisions or the temptation to persist in unhelpful patterns—the Bible calls us not to despair but to repent, name our struggles in prayer, and receive the forgiveness already secured through Christ's sacrifice.

As we do, we stand on "level ground" (Psalm 26:12), praising God in fellowship with others. Turn to the teachings of Jesus, who said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). In Him, our imperfections become testimonies of transforming grace drawing us—and those around us—ever closer to the heart of God.