Through the Storm 

Intimacy With God

Read Psalm 23; Psalm 42; 1 John 4:18.

In modern society ‘intimacy’ is a word commonly associated with a sexual relationship. In fact someone once walked out of a meeting I was running because they objected to my use of the word in the context of a relationship with God – I simply cannot what they thought I was advocating.

Actually, this modern context for the word limits our understanding, and is a far cry from its true meaning, which is to have a close or warm friendship or understanding – a relationship – with someone. True intimacy is found when the mutual closeness of familiarity, friendship and fellowship is so easy, close, affectionate, tender and undemanding that we can be for hours in someone’s company without having to do or say anything that interrupts or disrupts the warmth and peace of that place of rest.

In Psalm 23, especially verses 2-3, it is clear that David has found a place where he dwells or abides in the presence of God deep within his heart; it is not only peaceful but also, from that place of intimacy, God restores and refreshes his very soul.

There is no room for striving, worry, fear or trying to work it out, only tender quiet, almost bold confidence, in the ability of his covenant Shepherd (who he knows will never let him down or leave him to face storms alone) to guide him through. Once this intimacy of security and confidence is reached in our relationship with God we need never fear again because we have understood the nature of true covenant love completely.

... almost every fibre of his spirit cries out with longing, passion and desire for God.

If only we could first find and then stay in this idyllic state. The problem is that the storms of everyday life, especially the problems and – let’s face it – the people we face, mean it is nigh-on impossible for us to maintain abiding, or dwelling, in this perfect place of intimacy, rest and peace.

It is from this perspective that another psalmist wrote Psalm 42. He does not pretend the storm in his heart is not real, but he also knows that the only way out - the only path to inner peace and rest - is for him to look upwards and invest in making time to meet intimately with God. In fact, from the language used in verses 1 and 2 it appears that almost every fibre of his spirit cries out with longing, passion and desire for God.

I ask myself, do I have that same level of passion and desire to meet with God? Am I truly desperate for real intimacy with Him? In verses 5 and 11 the Psalmist gives himself a good talking to - as if to stir up his spirit to take his eyes off himself and his problems in order to seek God again.

One of the keys to standing strong through our storms is by way of nurturing the desire to truly dwell (stay, abide, reside, inhabit, lodge ), moment by moment, in His presence. It is from this place of restful intimacy that God begins to build the abiding assurances of His love, faithfulness and certain hope deep within us.

It is from this place of restful intimacy that God begins to build the abiding assurances of His love, faithfulness and certain hope deep within us.

It is from this place that we find our security in God, assurance of our acceptance by Him and significance to Him. These things are the keys we each need in order to stand strong through the storms.

Additional reading: Psalm 84; 1 Corinthians 13:13.

PRAYER TIME:

• How do you meet with God? Would you describe this encounter as limited to a certain time slot or are you aware of walking with Him throughout your day?
• What does the phrase ‘intimacy with God’ mean to you? On a scale of 1-10 how would you score your level of spiritual intimacy with the Lord? Are you satisfied with it?
• If not, then what steps will you take?

Invite the Holy Spirit to come and walk with you throughout the whole of this present day.