David

During a sermon years ago, Dave Busby defined intimacy in one of his last sermons. He simply stated that intimacy means “into me see.” I ponder that definition as I type today. I’m on the other side of marriage now. After 32 years of singleness, the Lord has blessed me with an amazing friend. Even though she is my special gift fom God, I still have to fight to open myself up instead of crawling into a shell of safety.

It is a dangerous thing to let someone in. I know that men too often believe that we must have this persona of strength even when we are weak. We all may battle the lie that if someone sees us for who we really are, they could not love us. Though I know these are lies, the battle still rages. The encouraging thing is that I am learning.

As I am real with my wife, I find her embrace growing stronger. As I reach out from my innermost parts and reveal what I feel is ugly, she loves me even more. Isn’t this just a small picture of God and His children?

Much of the journey of the Christian life is growing in belief of what is true. God already sees everything about us. He sees and knows ALL. The invitation of God is the most amazing imaginable. He says to us, “Into me see.” He desires for His children to grow in the knowledge of Him. It is not for the sake of knowledge, but rather, it is for the sake of a thriving, intimate relationship. He already knows all so why don’t we share all with Him?

As we grow to know who our Abba, Father is, we grow in trust and the journey of life becomes one that we walk by faith and not by sight. He is GOOD! Oh, He is GOOD!!! Believe this and pour out your heart to your Father. Believe this and dig into His Word so you can know the very Creator of your soul and the keeper of all things. He calls us just like He called David. “When You said ‘Seek My face’, my heart said to You, ‘Your face, O Lord, I will seek.’” Let us have the heart of David and seek God’s face today.

As a simple reminder, I once put a large sign on my wall. It simply said, “‘Chad, come sit with me.’ God”

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In tough times, I often flip my Bible to Psalm 63 and read words penned by David in one of his most trying times. “O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water.” (NLT)

As I pondered the first verse this morning, I told God that He is what I longed for. Even when I don’t realize it, my soul yearns for God alone. I may try to fit something in the place that only God can fill, but it leaves me lacking, discouraged and even more thirsty than before. Whether it be a relationship, job, ministry or anything else, it was not created to fill the inmost need. Only God can do that.

This world is a weary and parched place. We can watch people every day who are dying of thirst. They try to squeeze a drop of water out of a dried sponge when God has the ocean waiting for them.

So what do we do? We ask to see the One who can fill us up. And when we do see Him (and I believe we need to be reminded of who He is everyday) we can say with David, “I have seen You in Your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You!”

When we see God with His infinite love, our response will be the same as King David’s response. Not only is God’s unfailing love better than anything this life has to offer, it is better than life itself! And then? We are are left praising God as we walk through life.

Take some time to soak in Psalm 63 today and remember God’s unfailing love for His children.

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