Friend of God

My family and I have been watching the History channel series, "The Bible." I hope you are too!  Although meant to be a dramatic representation of the scripture rather than a literal depiction, it has been very entertaining and enjoyable to watch. So far we have covered old testament characters, namely Abraham, Moses, and Samson. Once again this year I am reading through the One Year bible online in the New King James version. Not coincidentally I am being refreshed on the actual scripture at the same time I have been watching this dramatic representation. By watching the stories dramatically on screen, I have really been struck by those people who received personal visitations from God or his messengers. One can only imagine what they felt, and how their relationships with Him changed at that point.

The Bible only describes two people as being "a friend of God." They were Abraham and Moses. That's it. I realized it might be important to understand some of their qualities if we desire to further our own relationship with God. Trust me, I am not taking this aspiration lightly. There is a popular contemporary Christian song that echoes, "I am a friend of God, he calls me friend." (BTW, my best friend hates this song!) But she might have point. To sing about it so glibly as if this is an easy feat, does diminish the awe we should have for the matter.  Of everyone in the Bible only two achieved that title. And frankly, it is an achievement. You see, son-ship/daughter-ship of  the King is something we RECEIVE with our salvation. But friendship or relationship with God is something you have to ACHIEVE... you have to work at it. You have to pursue a knowledge of who He is and what makes his heart happy. And to love him, you have to live what makes his heart happy. This is true relationship with God. (John 15:14)

Let's start with Abraham. I was most struck by his willingness to sacrifice his treasure, Issac. In fact, while watching this scene in the t.v. series, I cried. I have asked myself on several occasions during my faith walk if I am willing to lay down my dreams and my vision of my future to follow God. It's hard. But it's worth it. Abraham walked for three days before he reached the place of sacrifice (which God said he would show him/he didn't tell him beforehand). What did God "show him" during those three days? Did he show him that in that same place God himself would later sacrifice his own son, Jesus, (who ultimately was a descendant of Abraham) for all of mankind? We may never know. But I believe that Abraham knew God's nature because he already had a strong relationship with him and heard his voice. He feared the Lord, but he already knew goodness and his mercy. He seemed to have no doubt that the Lord would provide what was necessary to keep his promises even when things looked pretty dismal in  the natural. (Remember he gave him Isaac). I'm trying really hard to remember this for myself in my current season of life. "There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears." Phil 1:5-7 Maybe this is exactly what helped Abraham believe God. And the bible tells us, his belief in God was credited to him as righteousness.

Moses not only was called friend but he also earned another title in scripture. Numbers Ch 12 tells us that he was "the most humble person on the face of the Earth." This is pretty amazing considering that he bible also tells us in the same chapter when Miriam tries to oppose him, that he is only one God spoke to face to face. Not too many people can say that...even the mega-church preachers.

“Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision;
I speak to him in a dream.Not so with My servant Moses;
He is faithful in all My house.I speak with him face to face,
Even plainly, and not in dark sayings;
And he sees the form of the Lord.

This passage really struck both Greg and myself. It is one to really ponder and meditate over. It seems to me, the more God asks you to grow in your faith, and walk closer to him, the more you are going to have to experience humility. That might look different for every person. But I can say it has definitely been true for me. But further, it seems the more you grow, the more you seek humility. Why? I think the more you know God, the more you are in awe of him. Fear of the Lord (awe) is the beginning of wisdom. Most people who came "face to face" with the Lord or one of his messengers, "fell down as dead". They were so overwhelmed by his majesty. The more you experience his presence manifest in your life, the less you seek to promote yourself. Not to say that you won't experience promotion if you know God. In fact, the more you strive to please him, the more you position yourself for his favor. "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." James 4:10

 I'm starting a new book by Priscilla Shirer, "Discerning the Voice of God." I feel like I was drawn to it because I have been turning over these characters in my mind. And frankly, I want to hear from the Lord. So I realized that I have to position myself to do so. Looking to his word is always the best place to start. I'm excited to see who we get to watch on the next installment tonight.