The Relationship!

It is not fun to walk with someone with whom we are struggling in our relationship. In fact it can be downright uncomfortable. Conversation is awkward. Spatial distance tends to increase. Perhaps attempts are made to shrink away from having any contact at all because such makes us feel so uneasy knowing the relationship is not right. Unfortunately this is the sad picture of many relationships in the world today. Even sadder is when this depicts the relationship between mankind and God.

Adam and Eve had a very special relationship with God in the garden. There was an EXTREME CLOSENESS. Perhaps we would agree that such a relationship ought to accompany a picture of life in paradise. However, when God’s command was disobeyed and the forbidden tree was eaten from, the relationship became uncomfortable.

We read…
“(8) And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and THE MAN AND HIS WIFE HID THEMSELVES FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD GOD among the trees of the garden. (9) But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ (10) And he said, ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I WAS AFRAID, because I was naked, and I HID MYSELF.’” ( Genesis 3:8-10 ESV)

The relationship was not right. The EAGER DESIRE TO BE IN GOD’S PRESENCE was gone. There was a feeling of shame and therefore an attempt to hide. However, God could not be avoided. He could not be hidden from. As they tried to hide their nakedness from God, there was a need to understand how exposed all truly are.

The Hebrew writer noted…
“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but ALL ARE NAKED AND EXPOSED TO THE EYES OF HIM TO WHOM WE MUST GIVE ACCOUNT.” ( Hebrews 4:13 ESV)

When we don’t feel like praying it is good to consider why. When we do not desire to read the Scriptures, perhaps we should take a close look at our relationship with God. Is there something about it that is not right? Are we avoiding Him? Are we distancing ourselves? Has our confidence in approaching God ( Hebrews 4:16) been undermined?

Regarding the relationship to our Lord, John exhorted…
“And now, little children, ABIDE IN HIM, so that WHEN HE APPEARS WE MAY HAVE CONFIDENCE AND NOT SHRINK FROM HIM IN SHAME AT HIS COMING.” ( 1 John 2:28 ESV)

Through Christ, God has made it possible for us to draw into a CLOSE RELATIONSHIP with Him. ( Hebrews 7:19) Striving to walk in a right relationship with the Lord now will keep us from feeling the need to shrink back when He comes. He wants us to experience the joy of the relationship. ( Romans 5:11) He has made it possible to experience peace in the relationship. ( Romans 5:1) To continue walking in a right relationship with Him presently leads us toward the day when we will walk on into the eternal paradise of God. May we maintain an EAGER DESIRE FOR LIVING IN HIS PRESENCE!

Have a great day CHERISHING THE CLOSENESS!
Carl

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