Our praise builds intimacy with God!
2 Chronicles 20:18
18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.
19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
The seventh way that our praise affects our own hearts is that it gives us Thanksgiving and intimacy with God. God does not have favorites, but he has levels of intimacy. Those who praise the Lord and seek his face –feel his presence more than others. For example, in second Chronicles 20:18 right after the profit told the people to trust the Lord they all bowed down to worship him. This scripture was written for future generations, because as in all scripture when we recall what God has done for us it builds our faith. When our faith increases, our praise increases, and our level of intimacy with Christ builds.
Intimacy with God is offered to everyone. With God there are no favorites. Intimacy is as accessible to you as God’s promises. John 3:16 states that salvation is available to everyone. This scripture promises by God that we can have an intimate relationship with God. Intimacy with Jesus Christ means that we yearn to be close to Him. For example, we really can feel the intimacy with our experiences in friendships. An intimate friend is someone we feel very close to and this friend has been with us through thick and then. An inner friend holds our confidences and provides us with Godly Christian advice. If something happens that damages the intimacy with our friend both parties can feel distant from each other. This is when we know we have a intimate or deep relationship. God promises that He will hold all of our confidences. According to Proverbs 3:32 the Lord detests the perverse, but takes the upright into his confidence. This promise is God’s invitation for us to trust Him. Once we can trust Him we can reach a level of intimacy with Him.
We can also compare this type of intimate relationship to a friendship on a superficial level. If we have a friend on a superficial level; perhaps, that relationship is just spatial but relational. For example, while sitting right next to a person we can feel distant. We are distant, because we do not trust this person and we do not feel close to a person. In other words, in our hearts we are thousands miles away. Having intimacy is measured in trust and building faith in Jesus Christ. James 1:2-4 echoes that by creating an intimate relationship with God our faith must increase.
As Christians, we desire to encounter intimacy with God. We find the Psalmist putting it this way: “for me it is good to be near God.” (Psalm 73:28) James catchphrased this promise by stating the following: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) Finally, the mystery to stepping more intimate to God is having Him come close to us. The Bible distinctly exposes this principle: as we draw near to God, God draws near to us, and our faith increases as we experience the goodness of God.
Next, lets examine a few scripture that will build are level of intimacy with God. Consider Hebrews 4:14-16, Philippians 3:9, 2 Peter 1:4, and 2 Corinthians 1:20.
1. Hebrews 4:14-16 “14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
In scriptures 15 and 15 we can plainly witness that all Christians can maintain our faith; while we face our struggles. We realize that Christ has already shown us the way through the fire.
How does this promise draw you nearer to Christ Jesus?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Philippians 3:9 “9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
Paul discovered that Christ paid the full price for all his sine and by believing on Jesus Christ; thus, establishing a relationship with Him. Our God clothed Paul in the righteousness of Christ; so, that he would never again be bondage. This truly has been a delivering promise for all of God’s children.
3. 2 Peter 1:4 “4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
The message Peter is conveying is that new believers undergo a moral transformation. God emulates the corruption from the world to one that reflects the character OF God. We need to live according to God’s will and not to model the behaviors of the world. Christians can’t take their faith and salvation for granted. Deliberately failing to grow in the graces of the Lord may be seen as turning your back on Christ, because we made a stand for Christ when we were saved.
How does growing in the knowledge and love of Christ work?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Growing in grace is receiving divine assistance. This divine assistance is given to humans for their regeneration and sanctification. Regeneration happens when the Holy Spirit makes us a new creation, resurrecting us from being dead in sin and making us alive in Christ. This process is completely the work of the Holy Spirit, and not dependent on our works at all. John 1:12–13 Sanctification, then, is that sovereign act of God whereby He sets apart a person, a place, or an object for Himself in order that He might accomplish His purpose in the world by means of that person, place, or object.
So, how do we grow in this free gift? The only way to grow in grace is to prevent falling. We are either climbing in our relationship or we are slipping. In the relationship of a master and servant. In this relationship the servant simply follows orders. With Jesus we are friends and we do not just follow orders. Jesus gives us council! John 1:8-9 describes grace at work. Sin is missing the mark on an ethical biases. Sin is what puts us in an unrighteous state. Then, we take our sin, confess it before Christ, and receive this unmerited “Free Gift” of grace. Only His grace cleanses us of our sins. This is the grace that we are to grow in -our faith in that Jesus will forgives of our sins.
4. 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”
Paul sought to teach that the Lord Jesus Christ was steadfast, sure, unalterable, and reliable. He emphasized that God’s promises are true and His word stands fast forever and to prove this Paul recorded the following: For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are YES; therefore, also through Him is our AMEN – to the glory of God through us.
How does knowing God’s promises are true effect your walk with Christ?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The people in 2 Chronicles 20:18 had intimacy with God, because right after the profit told the people to trust the Lord they all bowed down to worship God. Nothing helps us more in shaky moments then our faith. This scripture was written for future generations, because as all scripture when we recall what God has done for us it builds our faith. When our faith increases, our praise increases, and our level of intimacy with Christ grows.
Today, how would you rank your intimacy with Christ? Are you close enough to God? Why or why not?
To purchase additional titles click onto the following link:
amazon.com/author/jessicalinhart
A portion of every book sold goes to stock the shelves of “The Inner City Missions” food pantry and to help feed the homeless.
