“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” – Psalm 62:5
Who holds the place
in your heart as your closest friend? What words do you share, dreams do you
imagine together and what joint focus do you both maintain in your lives? How
intimate are you? What news or emotions do you withhold from this person in
spite of your close relationship? Do you ever tell him/her a little white lie
to protect your image in their eyes? Do you have more fears than fulfillment in
this relationship?
Our relationship with
Christ, who lives within us, has the potential to be more intimate than any
human bond can ever hope to fulfill. Christ knew you before your conception (Psalm
139:13). In fact, He knew you before the
foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4)!
What human being knows you that well? Who could ever grant the desires of your
heart as intimately and completely as Christ can (Psalm 37:4)?
This intimate
relationship with Christ is only a prayer away. Simply admit that you are a
sinner, turn away from these sins, thank Jesus Christ for saving you from the
everlasting punishment, which you deserve because of your sins; and then ask
Him to come and dwell in you by breathing His life into your spirit, which is
currently dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1).
Walking in the presence of the Lord and being led by His Holy Spirit is without a doubt the most fulfilling experience available in this earthly realm. This union cannot be compared to any earthly relationship. The peace, joy and security that God provides is second to none. Many secular organizations attest to the healing and freedom obtained by turning over control of our lives to our Higher Power.
Therefore, once you accept
Christ’s atonement for your sins, He raises you from eternal death. You can now
set your heart on eternal matters rather than on earthly, carnal concerns. You
are now dead to the old nature and are born again into Christ’s life with God (Colossians 3:1-3).
How fulfilling is a
relationship where more than half of the decisions, which are made, are all
one-sided? How close can you feel to someone who insists on always having his
or her own way all of the time? How often do you have to put aside your needs
and desires in order to keep the peace in a relationship or in order to insure
that you do not lose someone’s love in your life? This is no way to live,
right?
Well, we are guilty
of treating our relationship with Christ in this same manner. How much time do
you devote to your relationship with Him? Do you insist on having your own way?
Do you ignore His mandates and live life as you see fit? Have you created a
designer God, one that is the figment of your own imagination and fits your
carnal philosophy of life?
It is time to
completely surrender your life to the Lordship of the true Lord Jesus Christ.
Submit yourself to God and live according to His plan and purpose for your
life. In His presence is the only place on earth where you will ever find
fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).
How often do those
closest to us on earth let us down? Christ never will! Hebrews 13:5 in the
Amplified Bible reads, “For God Himself has said, I will not in any way fail
you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I
will not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake nor let you down, nor
relax My hold on you! Assuredly not!” This verse brings us great comfort.
Intimacy with God is
more fulfilling than any relationship on earth. You can share your deepest
thoughts with Him and divulge your most dreadful concerns to Him without fear
of ridicule or rejection. He cares deeply for all that you are, all that you do
and all that you hope to become. He is a friend who sticks closer than a
brother (Proverbs 18:24).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for
the intimacy You give each one of us who will take the time and make the effort
to seek Your face moment by moment throughout the day. Help us to walk in Your
Spirit and to do that which You give us to do. Shower us with your peace and
joy as we face life’s trials and remind
us to always put our trust in You.
Thought for the Day:
You are, at this moment in time, as intimate
with God as you choose to be.
