Through The Storm: Fellowship With God 

Read Genesis 3:8; Exodus 19:1-9.

Fellowship is one of those overused and much misunderstood words within the Church today. There is a great spectrum of interpretation of its meaning, ranging from having a mild affiliation, rather like belonging to a secular club or society, right through to having a thorough grasp of being co-workers in the serious matter of the gospel of the Kingdom.

We might spend thirty years or more sharing cups of tea and chit-chat after a morning service with fellow members of a congregation and still not experience any true bond of fellowship. Conversely, we could form a deep mutual connection after meeting someone completely new and chatting with them for just five or ten minutes!

This unique spiritual bond is inherited via the family bloodline through our shared relationship in Jesus. Often, without us even knowing how or why, the Holy Spirit connects us spirit-to-spirit with other members of His family. We might have no natural explanation as to why we are called to walk closely with one person and not another, because it’s only from God’s perspective that the overall picture for our lives can be perceived.

This has happened to me several times in my Christian walk. Certain individuals have been specially highlighted or chosen for me by God, and I become aware that not only are they life-long brothers and sisters in the Kingdom, but that the relationship is also thoroughly trustworthy and eternal.

This unique supernatural bond, which is only truly understood and developed by means of spiritual discernment, will become vitally important as the greater spiritual ‘storm’ increases and the days get darker.

This unique supernatural bond, which is only truly understood and developed by means of spiritual discernment, will become vitally important as the greater spiritual ‘storm’ increases and the days get darker. We must invest in these relationships, doing all we can to build strong bonds of fellowship with those we are called to walk alongside whilst we can.

Fellowship between members of our spiritual family can serve as a picture or foretaste of the real deep mutual abiding companionship and friendship that God aspires to enjoy with us as we enter more deeply into an understanding of our covenant relationship with Him.

In the beginning God created Adam and Eve to have unrestricted fellowship with Him. He was actively involved in their everyday existence; so they knew what it was to feel totally secure, loved and accepted - to belong to God. Yet they rejected Him. 

Exodus 19 relates how God brought the Hebrews out of Egypt, not only to free them from slavery, but to bring them back to Himself - so they might enjoy the potential of that intimate relationship He had once enjoyed with Adam and Eve. This is what He wants with us too.

God simply wants to be an active friend, companion and contributor in our lives, sharing and being involved in our everyday affairs...

Real fellowship with us is clearly a priority on God’s heart. But it is not something that can be forced or worked up, and it definitely does not have to be ritualistic; God simply wants to be an active friend, companion and contributor in our lives, sharing and being involved in our everyday affairs, rather than being a remote observer.

True friends simply accept and love each other, confide and share intimacies and give one another special time. They do things just to bless the other party and learn that friendship grows when we give as well as take.

When these elements are present - on both sides - then we have a level of unconditional acceptance and a true bond of fellowship.

Additional reading: John 14:23; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Can you say that God is an active participant in your everyday life, or do you keep Him at arm’s length in some way?

Prayer Time:

Reflect on today’s reading.

• Can you say that you have deep abiding fellowship with any fellow believers? If not, prayerfully consider who the Lord might be prompting you to reach out and build stronger relationships with whilst we still have the freedoms and opportunities to do so.   
• Can you say that God is an active participant in your everyday life, or do you keep Him at arm’s length in some way? If so, what needs to change in you to allow your relationship and fellowship to deepen and mature?

Spend some conscious fellowship-time with God: sharing your day, your problems, your questions, doubts and storms with Him; He wants you to.

Meditate on the wonder of John 14:23 then thank Him for His friendship and fellowship.