Pursuing Intimacy with God

 

The human soul has an insatiable thirst for intimacy – a longing to be known, understood, and accepted in the deepest recesses of our being. This hunger extends beyond our relationships with fellow human beings, for God created us with an innate desire for communion with Him. As St. Augustine so eloquently expressed, 'Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.' This longing is not a weakness, but a testament to our divine design.

Throughout the Scriptures, we encounter a recurring theme: the invitation to an intimate relationship with the living God. From the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, the Bible paints a vivid portrait of a God who desires to dwell among His people and be known by them. The Church, as a community of believers, plays a crucial role in fostering this intimacy, providing a space for collective worship, prayer, and study of God's Word.

Today's theological reflection will delve into the transformative power of truly knowing God, drawing from the profound exchange between Moses and God recorded in Exodus 33:14-16. We will explore the dangers of confusing material prosperity with spiritual intimacy and the necessity of cultivating a deep, abiding relationship with the Almighty. Ultimately, we will discover that intimacy with God is not just a luxury but a transformative necessity for the soul's flourishing and fulfilling our created purpose.

The Exodus Encounter: Moses' Pursuit of God's Presence

The Book of Exodus chronicles the remarkable story of God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Amid this epic examination, we encounter a critical moment that illuminates the heart's longing for intimacy with God. After receiving the Ten Commandments and the instructions for the Tabernacle, Moses pleads with God, saying, "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here" (Exodus 33:15, ESV). This moment of Moses' plea for God's presence amidst the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 33:3) emphasizes the primacy of spiritual intimacy over material abundance.

Moses' bold declaration is striking in its singular focus. Despite the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 33:3), the prospect of material abundance paled compared to the desire for God's abiding presence. Moses understood that true fulfillment and security could not be found in the blessings alone but in the intimate knowledge and companionship of the Giver of those blessings.

God's response to Moses is equally profound: "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest" (Exodus 33:14, ESV). In this exchange, we see God's heart revealed—a God who longs to be known and experienced by His people, not merely worshipped from afar. The essence of intimacy with God is encapsulated in His promise of presence and rest. This promise transcends the temporal and points to the eternal reality of dwelling with Him.

The Danger of Mistaking Prosperity for Intimacy

Psalm 106:15 serves as a sobering warning against the temptation to equate material prosperity with spiritual intimacy: "He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul" (ESV). This verse refers to the Israelites' craving for the fleshpots of Egypt (Exodus 16:3), a longing for the transient pleasures and comforts they had known in bondage.

The danger highlighted here is the subtle deception that external circumstances and possessions can satisfy the soul's deepest hunger. The Israelites received what they desired – physical sustenance – but at the cost of spiritual leanness, a state of spiritual emptiness and dissatisfaction that no material abundance could fill.

This cautionary tale resonates profoundly in our modern context, where the pursuit of wealth, success, and comfort often overshadows the pursuit of God Himself. We live in a culture that equates prosperity with blessing, and it is too easy to fall into the trap of mistaking the gifts for the Giver.

The Necessity of Intimacy with God

To truly know God intimately is not merely a lofty spiritual ideal; it is necessary for the soul's flourishing and fulfilling our created purpose. As human beings made in the image of God, we were designed for communion with our Creator, and our hearts will remain restless until they find their rest in Him.

Genesis records the intimate relationship between God and Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where they walked with God in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8). This communion was disrupted by sin. Still, the overarching narrative of Scripture reveals God's unrelenting pursuit of restoring that intimacy with His creation.

In the Book of Jeremiah, God laments, "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13, ESV). The imagery here is striking – forsaking the life-giving source of intimacy with God for broken, empty substitutes that can never truly satisfy.

The New Testament echoes this theme, with Jesus extending the invitation to intimacy through the metaphor of abiding in Him: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:4, ESV). Intimacy with Christ is portrayed as the very source of spiritual fruitfulness and vitality.

Cultivating a Deep Relationship with God

Cultivating intimacy with God is a lifelong journey that requires intentionality, discipline, and a posture of humility and surrender. It is a process of drawing near to God, as He promises, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you" (James 4:8, ESV). This can be done through regular prayer and meditation, engaging in worship and praise, studying and reflecting on His Word, and participating in spiritual disciplines such as fasting and solitude.

The Scriptures provide a rich tapestry of wisdom and guidance for this pursuit, offering various spiritual disciplines and practices that can deepen our relationship with God. Among these are:

1. Prayer and Meditation: Intimate communication with God through prayer and the contemplation of His Word is essential for cultivating closeness with Him. As the Psalmist declares, "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water" (Psalm 63:1, ESV).

2. Worship and Praise: The act of worship and praise creates an atmosphere of intimacy, where we acknowledge God's worthiness and express our love and adoration for Him. Intimate worship involves not just singing songs, but also engaging our hearts and minds in a deep, personal conversation with God, expressing our love, gratitude, and surrender to Him. The book of Psalms is a profound collection of prayers and songs that model this intimate worship.

3. Obedience and Surrender: True intimacy with God requires a willingness to obey His commands and surrender our lives to His will. Jesus emphasized this principle, saying, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15, ESV).

4. Service and Discipleship: As we serve others and make disciples in the name of Christ, we participate in God's redemptive work and experience a deeper connection with His heart and purposes.

5. Solitude and Stillness: In a world filled with constant noise and distractions, cultivating moments of solitude and stillness before God allows us to quiet our hearts and attune ourselves to His presence. The book of Psalms reminds us, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10, ESV).

6. Community and Accountability: While intimacy with God is a personal journey, it is also nurtured within a supportive community of believers. Sharing our struggles, victories, and insights with fellow sojourners can strengthen our walk and provide accountability.

The Transformative Power of Intimacy with God

As we pursue intimacy with God, we embark on a transformative journey that shapes every aspect of our lives. The more we know Him, the more we become like Him, for "we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another" (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV).

This transformation is not merely external but a renewal of our very beings as we progressively conform to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). The intimacy we cultivate with God impacts our thoughts, emotions, desires, and actions, realigning them with His divine purposes. Moreover, intimacy with God empowers us to navigate the challenges and circumstances of life with wisdom, strength, and peace that transcend our human limitations. As the prophet Isaiah declares, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3, ESV).

Psalms is replete with testimonies of those who found refuge, comfort, and guidance in the intimacy of their relationship with God. Amid affliction, the Psalmist proclaims, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:2, ESV).

Ultimately, pursuing intimacy with God culminates in the eternal reality of dwelling with Him forever. The book of Revelation paints a breathtaking picture of the New Heaven and the New Earth, where "the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God" (Revelation 21:3, ESV). This intimacy is the consummation of our deepest longing – to be fully known and fully loved by our Creator in an intimate, unbroken communion for all eternity.

The Dangers of Spiritual Drift and Complacency

While pursuing intimacy with God is a noble and necessary endeavor, it has its challenges and pitfalls. The Scriptures warn against the dangers of spiritual drift and complacency, which can gradually erode our closeness with God and leave us in a state of spiritual leanness.

In Hebrews, the Apostle Paul encourages believers, "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it" (Hebrews 2:1, ESV). The image of drifting conveys the subtle, almost imperceptible way in which our focus and devotion can shift away from God if we are not vigilant.

Revelation addresses the issue of spiritual complacency in the letter to the Church in Laodicea, where God rebukes them for being "neither hot nor cold" (Revelation 3:15, ESV). The Laodiceans had become self-satisfied and lukewarm in their relationship with God, believing their material prosperity was a sign of God's blessing.

These warnings serve as stark reminders that intimacy with God is not a static state but a dynamic, lifelong journey that requires intentionality, perseverance, and a continual posture of humility and dependence on God's grace.

Navigating Seasons of Spiritual Dryness

Even for those who earnestly pursue intimacy with God, there may be seasons of spiritual dryness or periods when the sense of His presence seems distant or elusive. These experiences are not unique but have been shared by many faithful believers throughout history, including the psalmists and prophets of the Scriptures.

In Psalm 22, David cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?" (Psalm 22:1, ESV). These words echo the anguish of Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:46), revealing the depth of His identification with our human experience of spiritual anguish.

During these seasons, it is essential to cling to the immutable truth of God's faithfulness and His promise never to leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). The prophet Habakkuk models this steadfast trust, declaring, "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation" (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV).

In these times, we may need to adjust our spiritual practices, seek counsel from mature believers, or persevere in faith, trusting that God is at work even when we cannot perceive it. The Book of James encourages us, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness" (James 1:2-3, ESV).

Ultimately, these seasons of dryness can deepen our dependence on God and refine our pursuit of intimacy with Him as we learn to cling to Him not for the blessings He bestows but for who He is.

The Role of the Church in Fostering Intimacy with God

While pursuing intimacy with God is a personal journey, it is nurtured and enriched within the context of the corporate body of believers – the Church. The Scriptures paint a picture of the Church as a community of pilgrims journeying together toward their heavenly home and encouraging one another along the way.

In Hebrews believers are encouraged by, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV).

The Church provides a rich source of spiritual resources and support for cultivating intimacy with God. Through corporate worship, the preaching of the Word, the administration of the sacraments, and the fellowship of believers, we are collectively nourished and challenged to grow in our relationship with God. Moreover, the Church offers a framework of accountability and discipleship, where we can share our struggles, victories, and insights with others seeking to know God more deeply. Proverbs reminds us, "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17).

The diverse gifts and experiences within the Body of Christ also contribute to our understanding and experience of God's multifaceted nature. As the apostle Paul writes, "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV). Ultimately, the Church serves as a visible manifestation of God's presence and work in the world, a foretaste of the eternal communion we will enjoy with Him and one another in the coming age.

Conclusion

Pursuing intimacy with God is not a mere spiritual exercise but a fundamental aspect of our purpose and the key to a life of flourishing and fulfillment. As we have seen, the Scriptures resound with the invitation to draw near to God and the promise of His abiding presence. Yet, this journey is not without its challenges and temptations, for we must guard against the subtle deception of mistaking material prosperity for spiritual intimacy. The Israelites' experience in the wilderness serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that even attaining our desires can lead to spiritual leanness if we lose sight of the Giver Himself.

Cultivating intimacy with God requires intentionality, discipline, and a posture of humility and surrender. It involves engaging in spiritual practices such as prayer, worship, obedience, service, solitude, and community life within the Body of Christ. As we pursue this path, we are transformed from glory to glory, empowered to navigate the complexities of life with the wisdom and strength that come from abiding in God's presence.

Ultimately, pursuing intimacy with God is not merely a lofty ideal but a necessity for the soul's flourishing and fulfilling our created purpose. It is the consummation of our deepest longing – to be fully known and fully loved by our Creator, both in this life and for all eternity. As we journey towards this intimacy, may we echo Moses's words, "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here" (Exodus 33:15, ESV). For in the presence of God, we find our true home, our proper rest, and the fulfillment of our deepest desires.