This past month God is showing me the importance of knowing Him and being known by Him. I have had multiple conversations with people that the Lord has really been teaching me what that really means and how quickly it changes everything for us.
Mike Bickle writes in his book "The Seven Longings of the Human Heart" one of them is "The longing for the assurance of being enjoyed by God." and summarizes it this way, "We were created with a craving to be pursued, delighted in, and enjoyed, first by God and then by our loved ones. Understanding God’s affection for us is where we begin to live exhilarated by His love. There is a great difference between rebellion and spiritual immaturity (that sincerely seeks to obey God)." And also "The Longing for intimacy without shame" "We each long for intimacy without shame in knowing and being known before the Lord. Jesus shares the secrets of His heart with His people (Ps. 25:14), and we will share the secrets of our heart with Him."
Just reading those two longings causes a stirring within my being that cries out "yes I need this". Like never before this reality has come alive to me and I am so grateful for the revelation of it. I wanted to share it with you briefly and encourage you to pursue making this a reality for you as I know it will release you from so much bondage, dullness of heart, bringing you to daily, vibrant fellowship with the person of Jesus.
Jesus confesses in John 15:9 "As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you;" Stop there and meditate on that truth. To the degree that God loves His son, God loves you. With all of His fiery jealousy, passion, strength and joy, God loves us. God's love for Jesus was so powerful that twice He broke onto the seen verbally confessing to all who the people His love for Jesus. (Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5)
The feeling of enjoyment causes us to engage deeper into the relationship. It tears down every wall of fear and uncertainty and establishes a strong bridge of trust to open ourselves up. Jesus in one act of selfless sacrifice proved to us not only does He tolerate us but His love is like that of bridegroom willing to die for his bride. He conquered the grave, rose again, ascended to the right hand of the throne of God and by the Holy Spirit of God the Triune God now dwells within us. He must really enjoy us to be willing to take up residence within our being.
So what does this mean and how does it flesh out? Because we all find the place of prayer often times dull and lifeless and lonely. Where is God and why isn't he speaking? Why isn't he showing up blasting the walls off the prayer room and laying everyone out on the floor? It doesn't always have to be like that but it should be like this from my personal experience. This is what Jesus tells us "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place." Matthew 6:6 Yes!! Our Father is already waiting in the secret place for us. He has been there all night or all day waiting for us to be with Him. And often He doesn't need to talk but He just enjoys us and wants us to feel the enjoyment burning on His face. To see the fiery jealous love in His eyes for His beloved ones. Come expecting to walk right into Him because He is there.
Understanding that He is waiting there for us with great delight enjoying us fully is our greatest motivation in the place of prayer, worship, and studying the scriptures. And this is the greater truth that goes on top of it. The other longing of the heart. "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to who we must give account." Hebrews 4:13 God knows everything! And yet He has great delight over us. Before His eyes nothing gets by and He understands us to the greatest degree, greater than we can understand ourselves. God can look at us in the context of eternity and in the context of His Holiness and still take delight in us frail, fickle, broke, humanity! Praise God for His mercy endures forever. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
Take time to really look into the eyes of Jesus. Ask God to help you see Him. Jesus Christ is a real man who is alive today seated at the right hand of God and He wants to spend time with you. See the delight in His eyes and feel the love in His heart toward you. When I get just a glimpse of His face and how He looks at me it chases all my fears away. It overwhelms my soul with joy and peace. It brings life into perspective and gives me hope for tomorrow. It makes it hard to walk away from. If we do this long enough we actually learn to walk with Him. We become familiar with His facial expressions and tendencies in any situation. We develop the "mind of Christ"(1Cor. 2:16) because we have been learning what is on His mind all those times in the secret place.
So I challenge you to go after God afresh today with this truth in mind. You are enjoyed by God to the degree He enjoys Jesus. And it is with full understanding of where you are at today in life.
"Love is powerful enough, without the fear of punishment." Amanda Cook - Kind
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