Discover His heart: He created us to enjoy intimacy with Him
@ I Chronicles 28
“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind.” (9) David was rounding the final bend of his life when he gave these wonderful principles to help guide his son. Even though his life had some rough moments, David was qualified to give this exhortation because we know from reading the Psalms of his intimacy with God.
When I read them, I think of my mom expressing these words to me, “And Phyllis, my daughter, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately…” because she, like David, enjoyed an intimate relationship with God. As a young girl, it took me quite a while to grasp what David was expressing to his son.
Many years ago I listened to a group of women discuss the challenges of keeping a fresh daily relationship going with the Lord while raising children, working and traveling, and I understood the struggle all too well. There are days when it’s difficult to even get a brush through our hair, much less spend some devotional time with the Lord. The consensus in that meeting was that God understands if we put our relationship with Him on hold for a few years until we have more time. I don’t think so.
The truth is that God loves us no matter what, literally to the point of death, but I don’t think He understands being put on hold until we can make some time for Him. Somehow in our busyness we have lost our purpose if we think He isn’t going to miss us, and just as David was reminding his son of life’s priorities, we need reminders on our journey as well.
The message is clear from Genesis to Revelation—God created mankind with much more in mind than providing a caretaker for His garden. We were created for Him to lavish His abundant love on us through an intimate relationship. Made in His image, our desire for loving relationships in our lives reflects His desire for loving relationships, and He has chosen us! Our purpose for being is not the roles we enjoy as husband or wife, father or mother, etc. No, God has given us breath today for intimacy with Him, and everything else, while worthy and fulfilling, is secondary.
I wish I could say that I’m the poster child for intimacy with God, but unfortunately, that would not be true. In recent years, however, I’ve changed my priorities each day. Sleep is less important to me if I need to get up earlier to spend time with Him. In fact, I desire to put everything else on hold instead of Him. I’ve learned that the day goes better when I first fulfill my purpose for breathing.
I’ve learned that He doesn’t require marathon devotions every day. He just wants to touch me and be touched, to love me and be loved. Just like every other relationship, this requires time and care that sometimes may last for only a few minutes or sometimes for much longer. I’ve learned that the more intimate we become with Him, the more there is to learn about Him, and I’ve barely scratched the surface.
Moving Forward: I’m thankful for the reminder from David to continue to know my God intimately. God is my first priority today.
Tomorrow @ Psalm 108-110
Phyllis Benigas 