How Can We Sustain an Intimate Relationship with God?

You can only become friend with somebody if you are comfortable with that person, if you know them and they know you. How will you know them? And how will you be able to sustain your friendship once it has been formed?

Do you consider God as your friend?

If so, how do you sustain that friendship?

“How can we sustain our relationship with

God so we can go to His Kingdom?”

1. Have a meeting place.

2. Identify and label your relationship with God.

3. Communicate to God through prayers.

4. Aim to be recognized and distinguished as God’s person.

 

Once we sustain that relationship with God, we will be able to claim rewards from God not from the world.

1. MEETING PLACE

E X O D U S 33: 7 NIV

Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 

During Moses’ time, he can only approach God. 

Nowadays, there is no more hindrances and restrictions to approach God, because of Jesus. We can meet Him anywhere and anytime we want to.

In our present time, the “tent of meeting” can be represented by the physical place/ church building where we gather for fellowship. Technology has become an essential platform as well because even if we are far from each other, we are still able to do our Prayer meeting, Bible study and Bible school virtually, though we know the big difference of doing it face to face. However, the most important thing to note is that we don’t even need to go farther - inside of us is where God dwells. God is with us and inside us. 

IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A MEETING PLACE

During Moses’ time, people are unable to approach God but there was that excitement still as they wait outside the tent whenever they see Moses go inside the tent of meeting. How much more nowadays that there are lots of places where we can meet Him?

a.  A place to go and meet God.

V7 - Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.

b.  Creates high level of expectations and anticipation.

V8 - And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 

c.  A place to experience the presence of the Lord

V9 - As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 

In our present time, we always ask God in our opening prayers to saturate the place with His Holy Spirit, to protect us, to cover us and to consume us to make us ready to receive His Words. Once we experience that, it sparks deeper relationship with God.

d. A place to worship the Lord

V10 - Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. 

NEW TESTAMENT “MEETING PLACE”

a. Private – in your room

MATTHEW 6: 5 – 6 - “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” 

We still need to value that quiet time alone with God. Praying in private gives us that exceptional opportunity to pour out everything to God through our prayers. It is a one-to-one encounter backed up with Bible reading and devotional journal. 

b. Community / Public / Corporate

In ACTS 2, we all know how powerful and impactful group praying is. Acts 2 is a proof how a prayer of multitudes will be able to draw people together and to inspire faith that will produce the best outcome for the Lord.

In this day of Pentecost gathering, 3000 people were converted and it became the commencement of the earliest church.

 2. RELATIONSHIP

E X O D U S 33: 11 NIV

The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a “friend”. 

The “face to face” encounter here is symbolical meaning of “intimate”, as we all know that no one can see God face to face or else he will die. Our limitation of not seeing His face is a reminder about sovereignty of God in our lives. We cannot see Him, but we know that He is the supreme authority above us.  

However, He is not to be feared. Like Moses, we must develop that boldness to be comfortable in the presence of God.

 3. PRAYER

E X O D U S 33: 12 - 14 NIV

This actual conversation of Moses to the Lord during His time can be done now in our times in the form of prayer. And when we pray, we have to pattern our prayers as well in a way that seeks His will and purpose in our lives. 

- V12 - “You have been telling me ‘Lead these people”

Know what the Lord wants from you and be willing to accept it.

- V12 - “but you have not let me know whom you will send with me.”

Acknowledge that there will be challenges and be prepared for them. Lay down your doubts and anxieties to God.

In our lives, when we are given a great responsibility, do not complain. Instead, accept that responsibility and pray that God will be with you to be able to fulfil that role.

- V12 & 13 - You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. 

The favor we have now is the relationship/ friendship we found in God. As we keep that relationship, we must know our value to God and know how to increase that value. We must find ways on how to sustain that favor we have gained from God.

- V14 - The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Claim God’s assurance of answer to our prayers. We can only find comfort midst a great task if we begin it with prayer. Prayer washes all anxieties we feel towards a big task or any tasks. Through prayer, we will be able to invite God’s presence that will become our guide and source of strength. 

4. RECOGNITION

E X O D U S 33: 16 NIV 

“How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

 Like Moses, we must also desire for the same. However, the recognition that we should aim for is not the kind that will elevate us, or that will give us fame, but a recognition that we are living and acting according to the ways of the Lord, that will elevate Him instead of us and bring praise and glory to Him. We must be the representation of God to other people. We must be able to establish a mark that will separate us from the others. 

And the only way to do that is when we develop a lifestyle that is different from what the world does.

a. Be prayerful.

b. Meditate on the Words of God by reading the Bible

c. Be strict with the selection of songs we listen to, or we sing

d. Be motivational or inspirational especially with our conversations with other people

e. Use social media as a platform to spread the Word of God or to inspire other people.

f. Be surrounded with people who have the same faith and spirit as you. 

BENEFITS OF SUSTAINING THE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD  

1. REWARDS & RECOGNITION FROM THE LORD

 E X O D U S 33: 17 NIV

And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you, and I know you by name.” 

When we have sustained an intimate relationship with God, He will bless us. He will answer our prayers but of course according to His will and He will be able to recognize us. Our names will be in the book of life, He will consider us His friend, His children. 

2. TRANSFORMATION

 E X O D U S 33: 19 – 20 NIV

And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” 

Moses couldn’t see the face of the Lord, however, as Christians now, when we maintain an intimate relationship with God, our transformation will be so evident in our lives and God’s glory (light) will shine in us, in our faces. People will find inspiration in us, and we will fulfil that promise that we are the salt and light of the world.

 E X O D U S 34: 29 NIV 

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.”

 

The effect of our conversations to the Lord, through our prayers and our relationship to Him will be overwhelming and we could not contain it that it will overflow and will transform us into a radiant person- source of light, source of inspiration to others. 

 

3.  EXPERIENCE OF GOD’S KINGDOM

EXODUS 33: 21 - 23

Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand, and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

When we sustain our relationship with God, it will be a perfect experience of His greatness and His glory - a taste of what His Kingdom looks and feels like. A bit scary because we know how powerful He is, but as long as we do what He commands, then that fear will be changed with excitement and anticipation.

CONCLUSION 

To sustain an intimate relationship with God, we must consider Him as our friend, not as a supernatural being that is unreachable. Our prayerful life will help us sustain it and make it go stronger and stronger every day.

 Our prayers must reflect sincerity and boldness. Tell God your earnest desires to be used by Him to fulfil His purpose in your life and for others. Ask Him to be with you. His presence in your life will be manifested by your attitude, your works and how you conduct your daily life. Meeting God everyday through your prayers, doing works that will distinguish you as a Christian must be a lifestyle, and that will become a strong proof that God is with you and that you have an intimate relationship with Him.

God dwells in us- in our hearts. Though physical meeting place is essential for us to experience fellowship with our brethren, private encounter with God through our prayer times and quiet moments is pivotal in maintaining that intimate relationship then eventually will lead us to His Kingdom.