Of all the gifts God gives to us, intimacy with Him is the greatest gift of all. From an intimate face-to-face relationship with the Lord, everything else that matters in our life will flow.
The very short yet profound last chapter of Exodus notes the last days of the life of Moses. It was written of Moses, “There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face-to-face” (Exodus 34: 10). When Moses died, “The Lord buried him in a valley in Beth-Peor in Moab, but to this day, no one knows the exact place” (34: 6). Moses was a special person to the Lord, even in his burial.
We don’t get to this kind of intimacy except through obedience to God’s voice. The life of Moses did not represent perfect obedience. It was an act of disobedience that caused Moses to not be able to enter the Promised Land but only see it from afar atop Mount Pisgah. It was Moses’ determination throughout his life to keep coming back to the Lord again and again to do His will that would define him.
There is a lot of time given to training people in the various gifts we carry. Some of that can be good, but that was not what defined Moses as someone who was unlike any other prophet. What defined Moses was not a particular gift, an advanced degree, years of hard service in a distant mission assignment, or pastoring a successful ministry. It was intimacy with God that set him apart.
This morning, after reading Exodus, I took the need for intimacy and created prayers over my family, ministry associates, our government, and all the places my life might connect. I prayed that God would reveal Himself in such a way they would be defined as someone whose life was set apart and defined by their intimacy with God. In their intimate relationship with God, I also prayed they would be able to do things above and beyond all the gifts, talent, and ability they brought to their life assignment.
Intimacy with God is a life-defining experience. Those who pursue intimacy with God above all else will be forever marked by that commitment.
I wish someone would actually teach it plain.
Everyone uses jargon.
What does it mean to have a face to face relationship with God in real life today?
I don’t see anyone parting water, healing multitudes, bringing water from a rock or any of the other results Moses had from intimacy?
Seriously, I’m not being sarcastic. I honestly want to understand this.
Hi Jamie; Intimate relationship with Father God through Jesus Christ means constant communication , conversation with Him throughout your day, whether in a quiet spot or while your on the move. Also read Gods word a few verses at a time. You will get miracles you need, from God so start asking for personal assistance and helps. Ask him for the manifestation of His answers in your specific life situations that you pray for. These will be your personal Miracles. Jesus also told us to pray His Kingdom Come His will be done on earth ( the planet and your body is the earth ) as it is in Heaven. As you see your answered prayers / your miracles . Date them write them down. also attach a small stone to it. Gradually you will have a book and a zip loc bag or Jar with a very physical display of Gods Miracles and Love for you. Your Red seas will part. Your sickness will fade etc. As for Public Miracles those can happen too if groups of people pray for something lining up with what is “good” “God’s Will”. God shows up with the best answer, the best miracle. We just have to engage Father God with Respect and Warm Love and honest frequent repentance. This is what I do. I can smile because I have written down and attached attached stones in data and evidence of ALL my miracles.
Well stated. We are created for intimate connection, first with our Father – and second with each other.
‘I prayed that God would reveal Himself in such a way they would be defined as someone whose life was set apart and defined by their intimacy with God.’ Borrowing that for my prayer journal for my family.