We are all familiar with the function of a magnet; it is a piece of steel with the ability to draw other steel objects to itself.
In this study we will be thinking of three scriptures telling us of God’s desire to draw men and women to Himself and the various means He uses to do this. The first of these verses is in John 12:32-33 where Jesus said concerning His approaching crucifixion, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will DRAW all men to Myself. This He said, signifying what death He should die”. The Cross is God’s incredible magnet by which multitudes of men and women who were far removed from the Lord by their rebellion and sinfulness have been drawn into an intimate, loving relationship with Him.
In 1 Timothy 2:4 we read that God desires that all men might be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. He loves all men equally and unconditionally (John 3:16) and is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). He is constantly and, by various means, drawing men to Himself. At times God has used the preaching of the gospel to awaken people to their need of salvation, while at other times He may permit some difficult, a sickness or tragedy, or even a feeling of emptiness to bring them to Himself. At other times Christians can be God’s “magnet”, drawing others to the Lord by their consistent, godly lifestyle. Unfortunately, Satan does his utmost to quench God’s drawing power with counter attractions.
Our second scripture is Hosea 11:4, “I DREW them with cords of a man, with bands of love. And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them”. Here we have a description of God’s great goodness to His people when He brought them out of Egypt. He did not drive them by force and, although they were often rebellious and ungrateful, His dealings with them, as with us, were loving and gentle. He sought to overcome them with kindness. The song writer has taken the words of this verse to express his gratitude to God. “I’ve found a Friend, Oh, such a Friend; He loved me ere I knew Him. He drew me with the cords of love and thus He bound me to Him. And round my heart still closely twine those cords that nought can sever, for I am His and He is mine, forever and forever”.
Our third scripture is Jeremiah 31:3, where we read of a loving God gently drawing His people to Himself. He says, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have DRAWN you.” Here the Lord assures His people that He will bring them out of Babylon as He delivered their fathers from Egypt long before. In His unchanging love He promises to restore them to their homeland in Canaan and to give them back their former privileges. In verses 11 and 12 we read, “For the Lord has redeemed Jacob and delivered him from the hand of him that is stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the heights of Zion and flow together to the goodness of the Lord.....they shall be as a watered garden and they shall not sorrow any more at all.”
What wonderful promises are these to which we can all relate! In His great love, the Lord gently draws us “out of darkness into His marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). He gives us a new song to sing, makes us fruitful and restores the joy of His salvation. May we always respond to God’s gently drawing as He seeks to guide us, and to bring us into a closer relationship with Himself. Let us pray that each one who loves God may be His “magnet”, attracting others into a relationship with Him.
This article was written by Pastor Geoffrey Davies. He is a frequent contributor to this column. He lives in Melbourne, Australia, where he pastored a church for over twenty-five years. For many years, he has travelled widely, continuing his ministry of encouragement and Bible teaching.
