Friday, November 19, 2010
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isaiah 64-66 and 1 Timothy 3
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isaiah 64-66 and 1 Timothy 3
THE LONGING FOR RELATIONSHIP
SCRIPTURE READING
John 17:21-23 (NIV) That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us…the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one…that they may be made perfect in one…
Before the beginning of time, the Father desired to have a family, to know them in a deep and profound way, which is why He made humans to long for relationship. Unfortunately, most people lead lives of loneliness, they live without sharing their joys or sorrows with anyone. This is not God’s plan for us, we are meant to have deep relationship with each other. In Genesis 2:18 God says “it is not good for man to be alone”. The human heart craves relationship therefore the enemy strives to offer a counterfeit which brings shame. After Adam and Eve sinned they recognized their nakedness and first encountered shame. God made garments for them to cover their shame and He is still offering us a covering for our shame, this time through the sacrifice of His Son. God was and is fully determined to draw near to us in such a way that we would have no shame in our relationship with Him
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1. Have you ever thought about the Father wanting to have you as part of His family?
2. In listening prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you whether you have been accepting of the relationship that the Father wants to have with you. Have you been distant, passive, or embraced it?
3. Spend some time thanking God for putting this desire inside you. Thank Him for His glorious desire that causes us to want to seek relationship with Him. Praise Him for the desire that He has for you. If you don’t feel this desire, pray that you will begin to feel it.
