I recently had the opportunity to share a series of devotions on the Christian Businessmen’s Connection PrayerNet call. I encourage you to check out PrayerNet each weekday morning, at 6:30. The conference call number is (518) 318-7962.
For four days we explored the relationship between finding the center of God’s will – for protection and maximized impact in the storms, chaos, and crises which are heading our way – and participating with God in the restoration of His reign, intimacy, habitation, and glory with and within His children.
This article explores the restoration of God’s intimacy with His children. Here are links to previous articles in the series:
Our Propositions
First, the storms, chaos, and crises we are facing in this season make it more important than ever to find and dwell in the center of God’s will.
Second, God has given us a sure way to find the center of His will: by giving ourselves to the work of restoring His reign, intimacy, habitation, and the glory He desires to have with and through his sons and daughters.
Third, the storms, chaos, and crises provide opportunities for participation in God’s restorative work, and in the advancement of His Kingdom, to those who are willing, prepared, and courageous.
The storms, chaos, and crises of this decade may well be the shaking God will use to remove what does not belong in our lives (Hebrews 12:25-27).
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29
The kingdom of God has come, and it is coming. Those firmly established in God’s kingdom will not be shaken down or torn apart. Like the house built on a strong foundation, they will stand in the storms to serve as refuge, encouragement, and wisdom for those shaken and stormed out of houses built on false religion and secular coping mechanisms.
Reign Before Intimacy
God must reign for intimacy to be possible. Without the reign of God in our hearts, we are at enmity with Him, and this is no small consideration. Strangely, we tend to walk through life willfully ignorant of His omnipresence and omniscience.
His willingness to put up with my failings in this area prove the depth of His mercy, long-suffering, and persistence. I am ashamed to say that for much of my Christian walk, I have taken His mercy for granted. Eventually, I discovered the opportunity cost of my self-deception: intimacy with my Heavenly Father.
We would do well – for ourselves and those entrusted to our care – to force ourselves to remember that God is always on His throne and always aware of our attempt to usurp or ignore His sovereignty. Indeed, intimacy with our Creator is the best and highest reason for our surrender.
Restoring Intimacy with Our Creator
Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship between the Creator and His creation. Relationships exist in their highest and purest form when relational roles and responsibilities are honored.
Our God is a jealous god Who uses storms, chaos, and crises to force a decision: When life gets tough, where do we turn? Where we turn in the pain, trial, and tribulation is likely the person or thing we depend on for safety, security, and comfort when life is good. The storms, chaos, and crises serve to expose our idols.
Romans 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. – is not only a warning about taking the wrong path, but an encouragement to get off the path altogether: to walk back our relationship with the world that we might walk in stride with God.
Walking in stride with God requires following Christ (Matthew 16:24) in step with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25). When we do so the Father is also there, in Christ (John 17:23). This is the intimacy God envisioned for mankind when He first walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden.
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.” Revelation 21:3
This is the purpose of God, and not purpose will be denied Him:
I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. Job 42:2
Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5:24). Moses and Joshua (Exodus 33:11) met with God in the Tabernacle; and now the veil has been torn for all to enter. The means of reconciliation has been completed in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8-10). Jesus has promised the abiding manifestation of Himself and the Father (John 14:23).
The Father longs to restore intimacy with His people. He loves talking with His children. How could anyone neglect so great a salvation? If we would only think, just think, of what God is offering.
How could anyone who believes in the promises of God refuse to trade everything in this life, including our time, for intimacy with God?
Renewed Devotion
To devote is to give oneself entirely to a particular activity, pursuit, cause, or person (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language). To devote is also defined as setting apart something for a specific purpose or use – like 6:30am every week day morning to cast a prayer net over Atlanta. To devote is to commit by solemn act; to give all of something – especially your time, effort, love, or self – to something you believe in or to a person (Cambridge English Dictionary).
In the garden, before their rebellion, Adam and Eve were devoted to the LORD God. And He enjoyed being devoted to them. He was intimate with them and with them He made his abode. Deceived by Satan, they determined to change the relationship dynamic, and intimacy was lost… for a time.
The destruction of our fellowship with God has been the primary focus of Satan’s attacks against us ever since that fateful day. His success in cutting us off from God and one another is the primary reason the church in America is in such a mess.
Having resolved the issue of God’s reign, we must press the attack. Indeed, we must fight aggressively for intimacy. If we care about God getting back what He lost in our rebellion, we must become strong in the Lord and in the power of his might (Ephesians 6:10). We must put on our armor and begin aggressively resisting the Devil. If we fail to do so, the storms, chaos, and crises which are coming will fuel and accelerate the devastation of our intimacy with God and His habitation in our fellowships.
Let me be clear: procrastination and passivity will not win the day. Those of us who have found intimacy with God and built strong community with other believers owe it to God, if only for the blessing he has provided, to leverage their position of strength to disciple others in intimacy with God and one another.
Lastly, and I believe this with all of my heart, if we do not know God’s voice and we do not have strong community to support our families, the coming storms, chaos, and crises will overwhelm us and those we love.
During this temporary pause between storms, we must learn to pray intimately, and help others do the same. Not prayer like God is Santa Claus, or a vending machine… but intimate relational prayer, where we listen more than we talk.
So there you have it. Finding the center of God’s will for the storms, chaos, and crises that are heading our way requires our participation in restoring the intimacy He lost in the rebellion. The Father loves talking with His children. If we love Him, we will obey His commandments. If we obey His commandments, He and the Son will come and abide with us and in us.
Please let me know if you need more encouragement or teaching on this. There are several resources I can recommend and as much encouragement as you can stand. God bless you with time and attention for intimacy with God and his people. Amen.
Affirmation
The Father loves talking with His children. He desires to inhabit us and our fellowships. He shows up when His people steadfastly pursue intimacy… with Him and one another. He will fully restore all that He lost in the rebellion.
God bless you with courage and wisdom for His restorative work in the storms, chaos, and crises which are heading our way.
Have a strong day in the Lord,
Rob
#iamjustthepen