pWhen you’re with someone who just wants to argue or pick you apart, you lose energy. But, meeting with your best friend, you feel better. Obvious truths from Word 4U 2Day, but how much more is that the case with God? Long ago, God told Moses to give the Israelites this blessing: ‘The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace’ (Numbers 6:24-26 NIV). The Message version rewords it as ‘God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face’. What did that blessing mean? It meant God would be with them with the incredible intimacy of a close friend. And they would get the peace that comes from that.br /
Jesus said, ‘I have called you friends’ (John 15:15 NIV). Paul wrote: ‘He adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children’ (Romans 8:15-17 NLT). Do you know that? Meeting with God for the sake of God’s own self, not so that you can hear from Him, or feel warm feelings (though He’s so good that He often gives those things too). For centuries, meeting with Him has given God’s people a deep, profoundly personal, peace. Stick around for tomorrow’s reading for some pointers on that./p
pem strongWhat Now? /strong/em br /
Jesus gifted us His close relationship with His Father - more than disciples, we are His friends. Want a clearer discovery of that love? Ask Him. Tomorrow we’ll be looking at some ‘hows’, but today, simply ask./p