And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
Daniel 11:32 (KJV)
If you read the Song of Solomon, you will notice the depth of intimacy portrait in that book. This could be likened to what our relationship needs to be with God. But, however, we must be aware of the truth about the thieves of intimacy with God:
- Weariness, laziness, wandering mind (boredom)
- Busyness, problems, guilt
- Worldliness, pride not willing to be under his subjection
- Unbelief
- …and many more
What are the essentials of closeness?
Availability (to be here)
The quality of being at hand when needed. (Isaiah 6:8) God started to plant seeds of ministry in Isaiah’s life about his call and ministry. The Lord said, “Who wants to go? Whom shall he send?” Isaiah immediately said, “Here am I! Send me.”
In Mark 12:41-44, the widow, out of her poverty, put in all that she had, her whole livelihood. This woman did not have a lot to give. However, that did not stop her in being available for God.
Illustrations:
- When Jesus needed a boat to preach from, Peter made his boat available.
- God asked Moses what was in his hand, his reply was that it was just a stick. God used that.
- The little boy only had five fish and two loaves. Again, God used that because it was available.
To have availability there must be a depth or degree of:
- Consistency
Steadiness or regularity, not just once a day, a week, a month or a year.- Cornelius prayed always. (Acts 10:1)
- Daniel prayed three times a day. (Daniel 6:10)
- Jesus prayed for a blind man once and he was not healed. He then prayed again.
- Paul says that he prayed for Timothy day and night. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
- Reliability
In other words, God can count on us.- When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. (Genesis 22:1-14)
- God could count on Job even though Satan brought all sorts of difficulty and stress in his life.
- Quality
Meaning, to be there with the best we have. This is coming to God with excellence and total attention. (Psalm 119:2, 2 Chronicles 15:12, 1 John 3:22)
To have quality there must be a depth or degree of:- Intensity
When we have quality, there is an intensity and passion about what we are doing.- The Bible says in Colossians 4:12 that Epaphras was laboring fervently in prayer.
- The Bible says that Jesus prayed earnestly.
- Paul prayed exceedingly for the Thessalonian church.
- Sensitivity
The ability to respond to affective changes in your interpersonal environment. This is where we make our hearts sensitive to God, to hear what He is saying to us.
- Intensity
Integrity (to be there with a right heart)
Integrity is defined the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; the state of being whole and undivided.
To have integrity there must be a depth or degree of:
- Honesty
This is the quality of being truthful – honest both to God and man. - Sincerity
This is the quality of being genuine. (Jeremiah 9:6, Daniel 6:4, Psalm 41:12)
Loyalty (to be there with devotion)
Loyalty implies a close personal relationship even in the temptation to ignore it.
To have loyalty there must be a depth or degree of:
- Fidelity
This is a careful observance of duties. - Dependability
Loyalty is the core of intimacy. You could not have availability, quality, and honesty without loyalty.
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Philippians 3:10 (KJV)