Cultivating a Deep and Intimate Relationship with God Daily
A deep and intimate relationship with God is a recurring theme throughout biblical texts, often described in terms of knowing God experientially and personally [3, 6]. This relationship is not merely intellectual but involves the entirety of one's being, encompassing heart and soul [1]. The concept of "knowing" God in scripture can extend beyond simple recognition to a profound, personal experience, similar to how one might know another person intimately [3].
The Old Testament emphasizes this relationship as central to the covenant between God and His people. For instance, Deuteronomy 11:13 calls for loving God and serving Him "with all your heart and with all your soul" [1]. This echoes the intent of the covenant, where God declares, "They will be my people, and I will be their God," signifying a deep connection between the divine and humanity [6]. The prophet Hosea also uses the language of intimacy to describe Israel's ideal relationship with God [3].
Cultivating this relationship involves a habitual commitment to a godly life, which serves as evidence of truly knowing God [5, 8]. This commitment is not a one-time event but a daily endeavor. The book of Psalms expresses a desire for daily guidance and a continuous connection with God, as seen in the plea, "Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you" [2].
In the New Testament, this intimacy is further deepened through the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus speaks of the profound intimacy He shares with the Father, an intimacy that He extends to His followers through the Holy Spirit [7]. This relationship is nurtured through ongoing spiritual practices. Believers are encouraged to "exhort one another daily" to prevent unbelief and apostasy, fostering a communal aspect to this individual journey [4]. This daily exhortation can involve discussing divine matters, praying together, and reminding one another of God's promises [4]. The new covenant, prophesied in Jeremiah, emphasizes that this deep relationship would be realized within the spiritual being of individuals and the community, fulfilling God's original intent for His people [6].
Sources
- Deuteronomy “It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to my commandments which I command you this day, to love Yahweh your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, -- Deuteronomy 11:13”
- Psalms “Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you. -- Psalms 143:8”
- Amos (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Amos 3:2: 3:2 The word translated been intimate indicates personal and experiential knowledge that often extends beyond mere intellectual awareness. It can indicate formal recognition and acknowledgment (Exod 1:8; 5:2), personal experience (Gen 2:17), or sexual relations (Gen 4:1). This word is frequently used of God’s relationship with Israel (Hos 5:3) and of Israel’s ideal relationship with God (Hos 2:20). Because of Israel’s privileged status, God would hold them accountable for all their sins, not just some of them. God holds people accountable in terms of what has been gi”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 3:13: But exhort one another daily,.... In order to prevent unbelief and apostasy. The phrase is sometimes rendered, "comfort one another", or, "yourselves together", as in Th1 5:11 which the saints may do, by discoursing together about divine things; by praying together; by instructing one another in the doctrines of the Gospel; by putting one another in mind of the covenant of grace, and its promises; and by observing the near approach of everlasting happiness with Christ. And though the business of exhortation greatly belongs to ministers of the word, yet it ought not t”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 33:15: 33:15 A godly life provides evidence that an individual truly knows God (see Col 3:5-17; Jas 2:14-18; 1 Pet 1:14-16; 1 Jn 1:5-6).”
- Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 32:38: 32:38-40 The new covenant (31:31-34) would take root deep within the spiritual being of the people, both as individuals and in the community. • They will be my people, and I will be their God: A deep relationship between God and his people would finally be realized, as had been the intent of the covenant all along (7:23; Lev 26:12; Ezek 11:20; 37:23; Zech 8:8).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 10:15: 10:15 The Father and the Son share a profound intimacy, which Jesus shares with his sheep through the Holy Spirit (14:23-31; 15:1-11).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 26:3: 26:3 For God’s truth to become part of one’s character requires a habitual commitment.”