Do we get it?
Believing in Him is only the beginning. There is SO much more, something exceedingly personal, immediate — moment-to-moment. In Exodus 19:4, God says to Israel: “You saw what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” This word “myself” caught me by surprise.
“What a minute, Father. You mean to tell me that you’ve brought me out of sin and self to bring ME to YOU? This term you’re using, “myself,” is such a personal description. First, it tells me that you want to be close to me, that you’ve chosen me for genuine relationship—to be more than a “believer”—to be your child. It also tells me that your intent in freeing me from my own version of Egyptian bondage, in going to heroic extremes to rescue me…is to be WITH you, to experience the closeness that is your desire.”
Have we yet grasped that God designed us to BE with Him? To be in full, active, person-to-person relationship?
Speaking about the purpose of the mercy seat, in Exodus 25:22, the Lord said “And there I will meet with you and I will speak with you.” This should blow our minds. It should be the basis for a much deeper, more impactful understanding of our Creator’s purpose in giving each of us life.
The Reason we Exist
The unfolding of God’s purpose for us can only take place when we prioritize BEING with Him. Our activity, our service for Him is good. He calls us to do good works. However, what He tells us in Exodus takes precedence and requires continual refreshing in our priorities. This is true especially now, when the external, threatening conditions of the world around us clamor, competing for our primary attention.
Our destiny—the reason we exist—is to know God intimately, daily, conversationally. The first people, Adam and Eve, heard the Lord walking in the Garden in the cool of the day coming toward them to talk with them (Genesis 3:8).
Is this not exactly what the Lord later told the Israelites? “There (at the place of atonement) I will meet with you and I will speak with you.” All along, our Father’s desire has been to walk with us and to talk with us.
This longing of God’s heart is movingly displayed in Yeshua’s story of the prodigal son. The father LONGED for his wayward son to return. And when the lad finally came home, his father showered him with forgiveness, blessings, and birthright. Why? Because the dad’s primary desire was to BE WITH his son and to share life with him.
We are told in the Book of Romans that we have been adopted as sons and daughters of God. Does this not bring home the message of us being earnestly WANTED by God? Does that not change our view of ourselves and of life in this challenging world?
Yes, He brings us to Himself. He wants to meet with us and to speak with us daily, continually.
Do we get it?
This article originally appeared in the Oasis newsletter, March 2022, and reposted with permission.