As we look at the Christian landscape, only a portion of believers in Jesus appear to enjoy an intimate, vibrant relationship with God. Are they God’s favorites? Is it possible that there are some people who have “qualified” for a deeper intimacy with Him?
In Exodus 24, we read about people who were at four different levels of intimacy with God. The first level contained the Israelites who Moses led out of the camp to meet with God at the foot of the mountain (Exodus 19:17). This group worshiped God from a distance.
The second level was attained by “Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders” (24:1). They ascended the mountain and actually “saw the God of Israel” (vv.9-10). In fact, they ate and drank in His presence! (v.11).
The third level was realized by Joshua and Moses who “set out” to receive God’s commands inscribed in stone (v.13). Why did Joshua receive this honor to accompany Moses? In Exodus 33:11, we catch a glimpse into his heart. Joshua desired intimacy with God. He preferred to be in God’s presence, to be identified with Him.
The fourth level was reached solely by Moses with whom the Lord spoke “face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11).
Oswald Sanders, in his sermon on Exodus 24, concluded: “Every one of us is as close to God as we have chosen. It is not as close as we would like to be, or what we sometimes want to be.”
God will not drag us up the “mountain.” But He sees the desire of our heart as displayed in our choices, and as you “come close to God, . . . God will come close to you” (James 4:8).
Don’t confuse familiarity with intimacy. Familiarity is knowing about God; intimacy is knowing God.
More:
Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Philippians 3:8).
Next:
If you were living in Moses’ day, where would you be on that mountain? Why? Pray, “O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that I may know Thee indeed” (The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer).
mikan14 on June 9, 2010 at 12:34 am
Yes we are as close to God as we choose to be.. It depends on how much time we spend with God, and how passionate our hearts are to be in His presence…Thank you for this message! God bless all of you 🙂
Marye on June 9, 2010 at 4:42 am
This is really making me think. Am I as close as I can be to God? I don’t want to ‘play’ at my relationship with God. My heart aches so at times to be closer. But yet I feel so far away from Him. I want the intimacy of knowing God. The heart knowledge not just the head knowledge. Am I afraid or holding back? Only God knows my heart for sure. I choose to draw closer!
cjcamp on June 9, 2010 at 8:24 am
I so agree with you, Marye. I want to know Him more, but I am so easily distracted that I let these things interfere with my intimacy with Him. I struggle with how to put these distractions aside and really draw near to him.
Unsure on June 9, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Ditto cjcamp. We all lead busy lives and have responsibilties. I have a home, husband and two young children to take care of. It seems to take my energy to do all I have to do. I do what I do for the love of God and I try to do it well… but is that enough? I have little time to sit down and read the Bible, but God is never far from my thoughts as I work through my day.
I too stuggle to draw near to him and wonder if I am doing too much of the other stuff! But when I think about it, they are things that have to be done!! Frustrating!
mruggerio on June 9, 2010 at 7:21 am
Great devotional. It serves as a marvellous reminder of God’s desire for intimacy with us. I have never looked at this passage in this manner before. As a pastor we often get “busy” for our Savior, but can slip in our time of intimacy. Thank you!
donreid77 on June 9, 2010 at 8:03 am
The Israelites had the constant reminder of God’s presence in the camp. The pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day. The tabernacle was in the middle of the camp and the stench of the daily sacrifices should have reminded them of their dependance on Him.
I, on the other hand, have the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. He will take me as close to God as I am willing to go. At times, the path will go places that I probably don’t want to go but they are places that I must go to get to the place that God wants me to be. I have to confess that I am nowhere near as close as He wants me to be or as close as I want to be. But, if I am willing and obedient the path will be ever upward.
ARob_77 on June 9, 2010 at 8:06 am
Psalm 119 is wonderful and powerful scripture. The first few sections focus on our diligent and intentional pursuit of God, understanding His Word, and coming into a relationship with Him. In fact, the word “Seek” is used multiple times in Psalm 119.
God is close and accessible. That is His promise to us. However, the depth of our relationship is dependant on the intensity of our seeking. Seeking requires intimacy, time, patience, and inquisition. Great words of encouragement.
dr.lightsey on June 9, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Oh, yes! Knowing God requires being intimate with Him. “Intimacy” is a process – not something achieved simply by annoucing its presence. Intimacy includes spiritual foreplay, i.e., fasting, praying, Word study, commitment, and delighting yourself in the Lord. May I ever be reminded that I can always be closer to my God. Great devotion.
TLC on June 9, 2010 at 1:32 pm
God is always with us. He see the desires of our hearts. Be still and know that I’am There. He wants us to seek him in people and in things we normally would not do.
Trish on June 9, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Great post. I believe as a child of God, he is ever watching over us. Just like our children, they go out to play and don’t think of the parents all the time but when they want to share something, have a need or just want a bit of intimacy they go to their parents. God watches over us in our daily lives and just loves to hear from us when we’re happy and when we are hurting and be included in whatever we are doing. We are still in his presence. His desire is to be our number one.
Ciera on June 9, 2010 at 7:20 pm
-hlim
I understand what you mean quite well. I have felt like that many times myself. One thing that has helped me is to talk to him all of the time and not just when you pray. Tell him about your day and what you think of things. Ask him what his favourite Blizzard from Dairy Queen is.
At the moment though, things are a little bit different. I can say that it is my fault that I cannot “know” God right now. I am the one who is choosing to be angry with him and not trust him. The one thing I can say is that at least I am being honest with him and not saying that I trust him when I don’t. I know that faith is believing even when you don’t understand something, but I don’t believe what God says in the Bible is right all the time, and don’t find him consistent enough to be trustworthy.
One thing that I haven’t lost though is the knowledge that God is always praiseworthy. I can always rejoice that he made me and everything I know as life, and is supreme over every circumstance.
maryanneb47 on June 9, 2010 at 10:45 pm
This is a great devotion for me. I have the luxury to have a special relationship with God every morning when I get up I go to the computer and do devotions, bible studies , prayer and reading God’s word every day because I need Him to talk to about my problems and sustain me so that I do the right things for my children and grandchildren daily.
R R Kelkar on June 10, 2010 at 9:16 pm
I live alone, and many times it is just God and me! But it is a wonderful feeling. There’s nothing more that I need!
tripleDDD on June 10, 2010 at 11:17 pm
It is so true. God’s presence in our lives also depends on our desire to have a deeper relationship with Him. To have that longing and thirst for Him. What better gifts can we get? Thanks a bunch for the devotion!