25th February Deuteronomy 29 The God of Relationship
During the 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites had seen some amazing things; the parting of the Red Sea, being miraculously fed every day, their clothes not wearing out but God hadn’t explained any of it to anyone and for the most part, the Israelites were happy with that. They didn’t need to know how God had done what He did for them, they just needed to remember that He had done it. I think sometimes we (I know I do) want to know the how rather than the heart behind it but God is all about relationship (how can a 3-in-one God not be).
At that time they needed a God, and King to lead them from slavery to freedom but Jesus has stepped in to become our Saviour, our friend, and our big brother [Matt 12:46-50] at a point in history when we most needed it.
Just think about that for a minute. The God who created everything doesn’t just want to be your God and King (He does), He wants to be closer than that. I see that a King is someone who doesn’t necessarily think about me (or even know me), but when God came down and stepped into the Earth, He showed that He wants relationship.
Just as God taught the Israelites through His laws, Jesus taught us through His parables and life. It didn’t end with His death either, when Jesus rose, he frequently met with His friends.
God has wanted that one-to-one friendship from Genesis where He walked in The Garden with Adam, to Moses who He spoke to face-to-face as a friend [Ex 33:11] and He does now.
***
Question:
How does God speak to you? Do you hear Him when pray? Read The Bible? Listen to teaching? Listen to music? Go into nature? We need to listen out for His voice because He wants to speak and He can (and does) in many different ways).
Action:
Set some time aside every day this week to have relationship with God, whatever way that works best for you.