Whether it's an old friend or a future spouse, everyone has somebody they'd want to have and keep in their lives.
Human beings are created for companionship. It is not good for man to be alone, said God in Genesis 2:18. We are bred for fellowship and it's an undeniable fact. Just look at social media, there will always be someone in our friend list who is connected to another person. Even the older generation, who have no interest in the internet, have someone in their lives that they're connected with.
This is a key part of a normal and healthy life.
This point is summarized in a popular proverb: No man is an island. Indeed, no one is. No man can stand alone.
But do you know that the original purpose of companionship begins with God Himself?
In the third chapter of the book of Genesis, we find the Lord walking in the midst of Eden in the cool hours of the day. Why? He formed Adam and Eve for many reasons, and one of them is to have fellowship with them. A more intimate word that we can use is friendship.
Friends are a gift from God. They are wonderful. However, did you know that you can also have a close relationship with the Lord?
Yes. The Lord is open for an intimate relationship.
The patriarchs of the Bible struck me with this revelation.
Abraham was considered to be God's friend (James 2:23). However, during the time of Abraham, there were no churches, no Bibles, no pastors and no one who could have told him about God. He found out for himself. He heard the voice of God and responded. Through communion with the Lord (prayer), he was able to cultivate a relationship with the Almighty.
Moses, too, was in the same situation as Abraham, who had no resources to find out about God but God himself. Yet he was able to talk with the Lord face to face similar to how he speaks to a friend (Exodus 33:11). As a result of their close relationship, God was able to trust Moses with the history of creation and the Pentateuch was written. If Moses was not friends with God, we would not have the books of Genesis through Deuteronomy, the foundation of the Jewish faith.
God does not have favorites (Romans 2:11). If Abraham and Moses were able to have such a fruitful and thrilling relationship with God, we can too.
A relationship begins when two people open up their lives to each other. Anyone with a friend knows how a relationship is formed. It is the same with God.
He's around even if we don't see Him because through His will, we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). He's already exactly where we are right now. He is omnipresent. The Lord is everywhere at all times.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
-Psalm 139:7-10 NIV
God gives us friends, but friendship with God is superior to anyone in this world. The Lord Jesus is the only person we can talk to anytime. He's the only one who doesn't get tired of listening to our stories. He's the only one we don't need to have a cellphone to communicate with. There is none like Him.
Relationships are cultivated. If Moses was able to do it, anyone who desires to have an intimate fellowship with the Lord can do so too. Even me and you.
