21 Bible Verses to Get Closer to God (With Commentary)

In today’s fast-paced world, it can be challenging to find the time and space to connect with our faith. Yet, the Bible provides us with a wealth of powerful verses that can help us get closer to God.

From inspiring quotes that lift our spirits to prayers that evoke deep introspection, incorporating these Bible verses into our daily routine can bring us closer to our spiritual path.

Today, we’ll explore some of the most potent Bible verses to guide you on your journey towards a more profound connection with God. So, let’s delve into the scriptures together and discover how we can strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with God.

Bible Verses to Get Closer to God

Proverbs 8:17 (NIV)

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.”

In this verse, wisdom, often viewed as God’s manifestation, is speaking. It promises that those who love and ardently seek wisdom will find it. This doesn’t just imply intellectual pursuit but signifies a heartfelt yearning for God’s presence and guidance. It encourages us to be diligent in seeking a relationship with God, assuring us that our efforts won’t go in vain.

James 4:8 (NIV)

“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

James underscores the reciprocal nature of our relationship with God. The call to cleanse and purify symbolizes repentance and transformation of character. It’s about making the conscious decision to walk in God’s path, abstaining from sin, and maintaining a pure heart. This proactive pursuit enables us to feel God’s closeness.

Psalm 145:18 (NIV)

“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

Psalm 145:18 emphasizes the accessibility of God. He’s not distant or detached; He’s near to all who genuinely call upon Him. The phrase “call on him in truth” suggests sincerity and honesty in our approach to God. It’s a reassurance that our genuine prayers aren’t merely heard, but God is near to us in these moments.

Also Read: 21 Bible Verses About Competing (With Commentary)

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

In this verse, Jesus provides a simple yet profound principle for our lives. It’s a call to prioritize seeking God’s Kingdom and righteousness over worldly concerns. The promise that follows is a reassurance of God’s provision. This focus realigns our hearts and minds to get closer to God, trusting Him to take care of our needs.

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

This verse is God’s promise to the exiles in Babylon, yet its timeless truth applies to us all. God doesn’t hide Himself from us. When we seek Him wholeheartedly, without divided attention or half-hearted attempts, we find Him. It’s an invitation to a deeper, more intimate relationship with our Creator.

Psalm 63:1 (NIV)

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

David’s psalm reflects his profound longing for God. The metaphor of a parched land where there’s no water emphasizes the desperation and intensity of this yearning. It’s a vivid picture of how our souls should yearn for God’s presence, symbolizing a life-giving and sustaining relationship with Him.

Deuteronomy 4:29 (NIV)

“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

This verse reaffirms the idea that seeking God wholeheartedly leads to finding Him. It’s a call to a relentless, passionate pursuit of God, emphasizing the importance of sincerity and determination. Regardless of our circumstances or where we are in life, we can always reach out to God with all our heart and soul.

1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”

This verse from 1 Chronicles exhorts us to constantly seek the Lord’s presence. ‘Looking to the Lord and his strength’ is about acknowledging our dependence on Him and trusting in His power. It’s about nurturing a constant, ongoing relationship with God and finding solace and strength in His presence.

Psalm 73:28 (NIV)

“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

Asaph, the psalmist, asserts his decision to stay near God and make Him his refuge. This verse is a testament to the benefits of closeness with God. As we draw near to God and see His work in our lives, we are inspired to testify of His deeds, thus deepening our relationship with Him.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Paul advises us to turn our worries into prayers. By presenting our requests to God with a thankful heart, we engage in an intimate conversation with Him. This not only brings us closer to God but also blesses us with a divine peace that protects our hearts and minds, surpassing human comprehension.

1 John 1:9 (NIV)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

John reminds us of God’s faithfulness and justice. By confessing our sins, we engage in an act of honesty and humility that brings us closer to God. His promise to forgive and purify us is a testament to His abundant grace and encourages us to maintain an open and repentant heart before Him.

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

This verse invites us to pause, be silent, and recognize God’s sovereignty. The call to ‘be still’ implies surrendering our worries and anxieties, acknowledging God’s control over all things. This stillness fosters a deeper understanding and closeness with God, as we exalt Him in our lives.

Isaiah 55:6 (NIV)

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”

This verse from Isaiah is a compelling call to seek and call upon the Lord. It suggests a sense of urgency, reminding us that the opportunity to draw near to God is available to us now. It encourages us to seize this opportunity, cultivating a proactive relationship with Him.

John 15:4 (NIV)

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and branches to describe our relationship with Him. Staying connected with Jesus, the true vine, is essential for spiritual fruitfulness. This intimate connection with Jesus helps us to align our will with His, deepening our relationship with God.

Psalm 27:8 (NIV)

“My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, LORD, I will seek.”

David’s response to God’s call to seek His face is immediate and affirmative. It demonstrates his desire to actively pursue God. This verse teaches us to listen to that divine call in our hearts and commit ourselves to seeking God’s presence, which strengthens our relationship with Him.

Zephaniah 2:3 (NIV)

“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.”

This verse highlights the traits that enable us to draw closer to God: righteousness and humility. It encourages us to earnestly seek God and live according to His commands. These pursuits offer the potential for divine protection, promoting a life that is in harmony with God’s will.

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

This verse underscores the indispensability of faith in our relationship with God. To draw closer to God, we must believe in His existence and His promise to reward our earnest search for Him. Faith forms the foundation of our relationship with God and motivates us to persist in our pursuit of Him.

Psalm 119:10 (NIV)

“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.”

The psalmist’s commitment to seeking God with all his heart indicates his deep yearning for God. The plea not to be led astray from God’s commands reflects a desire to remain in God’s will. This verse serves as a prayer and a guide for us to maintain our focus on God and His Word.

Acts 17:27 (NIV)

“God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”

This verse reveals God’s intent for us to seek and find Him, emphasizing His nearness. It rejects the notion of a distant, unreachable God, instead offering the comforting truth that God is within reach. It encourages us to seek and reach out to God, assuring us of His proximity.

Hosea 10:12 (NIV)

“Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.”

This verse employs agricultural imagery to urge us to sow righteousness and seek the Lord. It promises the fruit of God’s unfailing love and His righteousness as a reward. Breaking up the “unplowed ground” represents a call to self-examination and repentance, which prepares our hearts to receive God’s love and righteousness.

Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Jesus assures us in this verse that our attempts to communicate and connect with God will not be ignored. Asking, seeking, and knocking denote persistent and active engagement with God. This verse motivates us to take the initiative in our relationship with God, with the promise that our efforts will be rewarded.

Also Read: 22 Most Popular Bible Verses in Micah (With Commentary)

Final Thoughts

After studying various Bible verses and considering the wisdom they offer, it is clear that they hold profound insights into how we can get closer to God.

By setting aside time to read and meditate on these verses, we can deepen our spiritual connection and achieve a greater understanding of ourselves and the divine presence around us.

With the help of these inspired words, we can embark on a journey of enlightenment that can transform our lives for good.