“It’s easier to be close to God during prayer time when you’re close to God all the time.” – Jared Brock
Dear beloved readers, intimacy here is defined as a close and affectionate relationship, friendship and partnership with an individual or a group. Intimacy evolves when there is deep communion with sharing of minds and hearts together. Of course in a marriage relationship, it includes sexual oneness and closeness.
However intimacy may not include any sexual elements whatsoever. For example the relationship between David and Jonathan that is found in 1 Samuel 18. They were knitted in their minds and emotions but there was no sexual intimacy.
Isaiah 40: 31
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew thei strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
The word WAIT in Hebrew means entwine. It gives a picture of a tendril plant in the forest entwining and coiling around a giant tree. In the process of time, there is a oneness and difficulty to separate. It is also abiding in the Vine that is illustrated in John 15 by our Lord Jesus Himself.
John15:5
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Examples Of Intimacy The Bible does depict many forms of intimacy between God and His People.
1. Enoch walked with God with such closeness and intimacy that God decided to take him to heaven without facing physical death.
Genesis 5:24
And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
2. Abraham became a friend of God in James 2:23.
23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
3. Moses had such intimacy with God that he caused God Almighty to change His mind.
Exodus 32: 11-14.
11 Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: “LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, ‘He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever:” 14 So the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.
Moses also spoke to God face to face.
Numbers 12: 7-8
7Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. 8 I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings;
And he sees the form of the LORD.
4. According to Acts 13: 22, The Bible reveals that David was a man who was after God’s heart. 22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.
5. Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus found in Luke 10 :38-42 had such a close intimacy with Jesus and often sat at Jesus’ feet to listen from the One whom she loved and adored.
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, ”Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
6. Apostle John who rested in Jesus’ breast that was found in
John 13: 21 – 26.
21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me”. 22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. 25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when
I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Needless to say that God was always searching and longing for intimacy since He created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
2 Chronicles 19: 9 declares … “The eyes of the Lord running to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him …”
The Spirit of God yearns and longs jealously for His Children to have a close friendship and communion with Him.
Many years ago, Benny Hinn wrote his famous book entitled “GOOD MORNING, HOLY SPIRIT” and the book was flying out of Christian bookstores for a season. I believe there’ll be a strong emphasis of intimacy with God as the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ is drawing near. Even in the days of Jesus on earth, He appointed and chose the 12 disciples and apostles to be with Him FIRST before He sent them out to minister and perform miracles as found in Mark 3:13-15
’13 And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. 14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, 15 and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:’
Practical Approach
Dear beloved, intimacy with God is not created overnight. It is a process and a lifelong discovery.
I have been married to Christina Philippose Ang since 1990 and we are still discovering something new about each other. It takes time
to build relationship, both in terms of quality and quantity. It is also true about our walk with God.
Even if I have been a Christian for almost 35 years, my walk with God is still in a fundamental stage. When we have intimacy with Him, it is a delight and joy to spend time with our Abba Father. Seeking God and prayer is no longer a sense of duty and burden. It is an honour to share our hearts with Him. Like Hannah in 1 Samuel 1: 1 3, she poured out the intensity of her heart and secret of her innermost being to her Lord God.
lSamuel 1:13
13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. ..’ . .
Intimacy means sharing our fears, disappointment, struggles, victories, dreams. It may include our likes and dislikes. Many times, I
am truly amazed how personal our Father God can be.
Be Still.
Psalm46:10
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Daily we are bombarded with many voices, noises and choices in life. As a modern Christian with a busy lifestyle especially those living
in the cities, we are constantly being confronted with noises both outside and inside. Just trying to make our minds and hearts calm is
a challenge in itself. All kinds of thoughts and distractions come our way even though some may be of genuine concern.
I was spending time with God one evening in our home balcony and brought my son’s future in prayer, particularly his study overseas.
Suddenly the thought of fear and anxiety hit me as I began to worry about Asher’s well-being.
These thoughts came crashing in like a wave
1. Can he survive without the parents staying with him?
2. What about his meals and transport?
3. Will he get his scholarship?
Just then, the song that I wrote last year came to my rescue … :’Just Trust in Him” … .like a healing balm and calmed the storm. Suddenly peace descended on my soul as I began to thank Him for His grace and faithfulness that cannot fail.
Dearly beloved, learning to be still and having intimacy with God requires a certain place to commune with Him. Notice Jesus Christ habitually chose a quiet and serene location like a garden , the Sea of Galilee, the mountains and even the desert to commune with His Father. Personally I found that waterfalls, beaches, lakes, gardens and mountains are very conducive to spend time with God.
In our annual International Conference we have set aside 2 sessions of 2 hours each for the participants to soak in His Presence. Basking and seeking God without AGENDA, just to love Him and have intimacy with Him. Many have encountered God afresh in these sessions. We provide anointed worship songs to help us to get into His Presence. There is enough room for each person to express the posture of soaking in His Presence.
Many times I use my imaginations to commune with God. I imagined worshiping God before the Throne with the multitude of angels and saints. At times I see myself sitting on His Lap. My son Asher taught me an aspect of intimacy of sitting on his father’s lap. Asher enjoyed sitting on my lap just to feel my love and closeness even when he was 16 years. The last time he sat on my lap, the chair collapsed! I enjoyed him sitting on my lap because he wants me not because he needs something from his father.
We can do the same to Jesus and Abba Father in Heaven. Learn from Apostle John who frequently leaned on Jesus’ breasts. Lean on God’s Shoulder and enjoy His Strength and Comfort. Have you seen a little toddler leaning on his father’s shoulder and fast asleep, regardless of the noisy surroundings? W hat a profound truth of trust and safety in God’s Presence!
Another avenue we could explore on intimacy is dancing before the Lord. David dancing before God may give us a clue of David’s
intimacy with God.
Products Of Intimacy.
In the physical intimacy between a married couple, the product of the intimacy is the fruit of the womb. There are similar parallels in
this truth. W hen we have intimacy with God we begin to experience fruitfulness in every area of our lives.
We shall begin to DOWNLOAD His visions, wisdom, favour, power and revelations. Inevitably, we will receive His plan and purpose
for our lives. Consequently, we become His instruments to bring the Kingdom of God on earth. We start to walk in authority and
influence on earth.
Many times in many places, we have seen weather patterns change as we declared the change to take place. Sometimes we order to rain to come only on certain times.
During our International conferences, we ordered the rain to come only between 12 midnight and 6 am. One morning during the conference at 7 am, I went to the swimming pool of the hotel we were staying to have my quiet time. Suddenly I realized that it had rained only during the night after midnight!
God also causes us to download His strategies when we face battles.
In 2013, when Asher was doing his grade 8 piano exam. I was told that Grade 8 piano exam is quite difficult to pass and requires at
least 1 to 2 hours of practice daily. Asher was skilful in music but to practice 1 to 2 hours daily is another story.
Each week when he returned home from his piano class, he was distressed and unhappy because he got scolding from the piano
teacher. The report from his teacher would make his mom reprimand him for not doing his homework accurately.
It was fine till two months before the exam when the piano teacher suggested to postpone his exam for another year. Asher protested and God had mercy on us. Going through the stressful piano class was too much for Asher and his parents. Suddenly I received inspiration from God not to nag or scold Asher. Instead, we would fast and pray for him. Asher, on his own efforts, began to buck up and rough it out during those two months. He cried out to God for guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We all prayed for a miracle. When Asher came home after his exam, he said to me, «Dad, it will be a miracle if I pass”. His mom who sent him for the exam, prayed for him at the venue while the exam was being carried out. She had a picture in her mind of the hand of God resting on Asher’s hand as he played.
However, Asher felt he did badly in the piano exam. Apparently, the questions he was hoping for the exam, was not asked. The questions on the piano pieces, were questions he didn’t expect. Amazingly, when the results came out, he passed. What a joy and relief!
Dearly beloved, when we run to God and seek His face, He would reward us with His favor and grace and grant us great success.
“Intimacy with God is what determines our exploits.” – Sunday Adelaja