30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)

Getting closer to God is a journey that requires intentional effort, prayer, and a desire to know Him more deeply. The Bible offers guidance on how to cultivate a closer relationship with God, emphasizing the importance of seeking Him, obeying His commandments, and drawing near to Him through faith, prayer, and worship. These verses encourage us to pursue God with all our hearts, to trust in His promises, and to live in a way that reflects His love and holiness. Here are 30 Bible verses about getting closer to God, each with an 80-word commentary.

1. James 4:8

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

This verse promises that as we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. It teaches that closeness with God requires repentance and purification. By turning away from sin and double-mindedness, we make room for God’s presence in our lives. This verse encourages us to seek God earnestly, knowing that He is always ready to welcome us into a closer relationship when we approach Him with sincerity.

2. Psalm 145:18

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

This verse emphasizes that God is close to those who call on Him with sincerity and truth. It teaches that genuine, heartfelt prayer is a powerful way to draw nearer to God. When we seek Him with honest intentions and an open heart, He promises to be near, offering His guidance, comfort, and presence. This verse encourages us to cultivate a prayer life rooted in truth and earnestness.

3. Jeremiah 29:13

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

This verse assures us that when we seek God wholeheartedly, we will find Him. It teaches that a deep, intimate relationship with God requires full commitment and earnest seeking. God desires a relationship with us and promises that when we pursue Him with all our hearts, He will reveal Himself to us. This verse encourages us to prioritize our relationship with God, seeking Him above all else.

4. Matthew 6:33

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

Jesus instructs us to prioritize seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness. This verse teaches that when we put God first in our lives, everything else will fall into place. Drawing closer to God means aligning our priorities with His will and seeking His righteousness in all we do. It encourages us to focus on our relationship with God, trusting that He will provide for our needs as we pursue Him.

5. Hebrews 11:6

“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 highlights the importance of faith in drawing near to God. It teaches that pleasing God requires believing in His existence and trusting that He rewards those who seek Him diligently. Faith is the foundation of a close relationship with God, and as we seek Him with sincere faith, we can be confident that He will respond with His presence and blessings.

6. Psalm 73:28

“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.”

The psalmist declares the goodness of being close to God. This verse teaches that nearness to God brings safety, refuge, and the ability to testify to His works. When we make God our refuge, we experience the goodness and security of His presence. This verse encourages us to stay close to God, finding our strength and safety in Him, and sharing His deeds with others.

7. John 15:4

“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 emphasizes the importance of staying connected to Him. This verse teaches that a close relationship with Jesus is essential for a fruitful life. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit without being attached to the vine, we cannot produce spiritual fruit unless we remain in Christ. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep and ongoing connection with Jesus, relying on Him for strength and sustenance.

8. Psalm 34:18

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

This verse assures us that God is near to those who are brokenhearted. It teaches that in our times of deepest pain and sorrow, God draws especially close to us. His presence brings comfort and salvation to those who are hurting. This verse encourages us to turn to God in our moments of distress, knowing that He is close, ready to heal and restore us.

9. Philippians 4:6-7

“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 teaches the power of prayer in maintaining peace and closeness with God. This verse encourages us to bring our worries and needs to God through prayer, trusting that His peace will guard our hearts. When we stay close to God through consistent prayer, we experience His peace, which surpasses all human understanding, keeping us connected to Him even in difficult times.

10. Isaiah 55:6

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

This verse urges us to seek God while He is accessible. It teaches that there are times when God’s presence is especially close, and we should take advantage of those moments to draw nearer to Him. This verse encourages us to actively seek God and call on Him, recognizing that our relationship with Him is vital and that now is the time to deepen that connection.

11. Psalm 63:1

“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.”

The psalmist expresses a deep longing for God. This verse teaches that our souls naturally yearn for closeness with God, especially in times of spiritual dryness. Like water in a desert, God’s presence refreshes and sustains us. This verse encourages us to seek God with earnest desire, knowing that He alone can satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts.

12. Jeremiah 24:7

“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.”

God promises to give His people a heart to know Him. This verse teaches that closeness to God begins with a heart transformation that He initiates. When we return to God with all our hearts, He establishes a deep and personal relationship with us. This verse encourages us to surrender our hearts to God, allowing Him to draw us closer to Himself.

13. Psalm 119:10

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

This verse expresses a wholehearted pursuit of God and His commandments. It teaches that getting closer to God involves seeking Him with all our hearts and staying true to His word. When we focus on God’s commandments and desire to follow them, we strengthen our relationship with Him. This verse encourages us to seek God with devotion and commitment, allowing His word to guide our lives.

14. John 14:21

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Jesus links obedience to love and revelation. This verse teaches that obedience to God’s commands is a sign of our love for Him and leads to a closer relationship with Him. When we love Jesus through our actions, He promises to reveal Himself to us more fully, drawing us closer to Him. This verse encourages us to demonstrate our love for God through faithful obedience.

15. Deuteronomy 4:29

“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.”

Moses assures the Israelites that they can find God if they seek Him earnestly. This verse teaches that even if we feel distant from God, He is always within reach when we seek Him with all our hearts and souls. This verse encourages us to never give up in our pursuit of God, knowing that He is always ready to be found by those who seek Him sincerely.

16. Psalm 42:1-2

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”

The psalmist compares his longing for God to a deer’s thirst for water. This verse teaches that our souls have a natural thirst for God, and that closeness with Him is as essential as water for life. It encourages us to seek God with the same intensity and need, recognizing that only His presence can truly satisfy our spiritual thirst.

17. Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Jesus blesses those who earnestly seek righteousness. This verse teaches that a deep desire for righteousness, which comes from a close relationship with God, will be rewarded with fulfillment. When we hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness, He promises to fill us with His presence and grace. This verse encourages us to pursue a life of righteousness, knowing that it brings us closer to God.

18. 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.”

John assures us of God’s forgiveness when we confess our sins. This verse teaches that confession and repentance are essential for maintaining a close relationship with God. By acknowledging our sins and seeking His forgiveness, we remove the barriers that distance us from Him, allowing us to experience His love and purity more fully. This verse encourages us to practice regular confession as a way to stay close to God.

19. Zechariah 1:3

“Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

God calls His people to return to Him, promising that He will respond in kind. This verse teaches that God is always ready to restore a close relationship with us when we turn back to Him. No matter how far we may have strayed, God’s invitation to return is open, and He promises to meet us with His presence. This verse encourages us to take steps toward God, knowing that He will take steps toward us.

20. Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Paul urges believers to renew their minds to discern God’s will. This verse teaches that getting closer to God involves rejecting worldly influences and allowing our minds to be transformed by His word. Through this renewal, we gain a clearer understanding of God’s will, which strengthens our relationship with Him. This verse encourages us to focus on spiritual transformation as a key to deepening our connection with God.

21. Psalm 27:4

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”

The psalmist expresses a deep desire to be in God’s presence. This verse teaches that one of the most profound ways to get closer to God is by seeking His presence continually. The desire to dwell with God and to behold His beauty reflects a heart that is fully devoted to Him. This verse encourages us to make the pursuit of God’s presence a central focus of our lives.

22. Isaiah 40:31

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

This verse promises strength and renewal for those who wait on the Lord. It teaches that closeness with God brings spiritual strength and endurance. When we place our hope in God and trust in His timing, He renews our strength, enabling us to persevere in our spiritual journey. This verse encourages us to remain close to God, knowing that He sustains us through every challenge.

23. Psalm 46:10

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

God calls us to be still and recognize His sovereignty. This verse teaches that in our pursuit of closeness with God, there are times when we must simply be still, acknowledging His presence and power. Stillness allows us to hear God’s voice and to experience His peace. This verse encourages us to take time to be quiet before God, trusting that in our stillness, we will come to know Him more deeply.

24. Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

This verse highlights the guiding power of God’s word. It teaches that the Bible is essential for staying close to God, as it provides the direction and guidance we need in our lives. When we immerse ourselves in God’s word, we walk in His light, drawing nearer to Him as we follow His path. This verse encourages us to make regular Bible study a priority in our spiritual journey.

25. Colossians 3:2

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Paul instructs believers to focus on spiritual matters. This verse teaches that to get closer to God, we must shift our focus from earthly concerns to heavenly ones. By setting our minds on things above—God’s will, His kingdom, and His righteousness—we draw closer to Him and align our lives with His purposes. This verse encourages us to cultivate a mindset that prioritizes spiritual growth and closeness with God.

26. Micah 6:8

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

This verse summarizes what God desires from us: justice, mercy, and humility. It teaches that a close relationship with God is demonstrated through our actions and attitudes. By living justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, we reflect His character and draw nearer to Him. This verse encourages us to live in a way that pleases God, deepening our relationship with Him through our daily walk.

27. Revelation 3:20

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Jesus offers an invitation for closeness. This verse teaches that Jesus desires a personal relationship with each of us, symbolized by His knocking at the door of our hearts. When we open our hearts to Him, He promises to come in and share an intimate, life-giving fellowship with us. This verse encourages us to respond to Jesus’ invitation, welcoming Him into our lives and growing closer to Him.

28. Psalm 37:4

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

This verse promises that when we delight in the Lord, He will fulfill our desires. It teaches that as we draw closer to God and find our joy in Him, our desires begin to align with His will. The closer we get to God, the more our hearts reflect His heart, leading to a deeper fulfillment in our relationship with Him. This verse encourages us to find our greatest delight in God.

29. John 4:23-24

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Jesus teaches about the nature of true worship. This verse teaches that true closeness with God comes through worship that is sincere and led by the Holy Spirit. Worshiping in spirit and truth allows us to connect with God on a deep, personal level, where we experience His presence more fully. This verse encourages us to engage in authentic worship as a means of drawing nearer to God.

30. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Paul exhorts believers to live a life of constant joy, prayer, and gratitude. This verse teaches that a close relationship with God is maintained through a lifestyle of rejoicing, continual prayer, and thanksgiving. By cultivating these attitudes, we stay connected to God in all circumstances, experiencing His presence and guidance daily. This verse encourages us to live in constant communication with God, drawing closer to Him through every aspect of our lives.