In this ongoing series, we will be looking closely at what lessons we can learn from Solomon about how to have the kind of relationship with God that He desires for us to have. I urge you to take the time to meditate upon each Truth presented; to ask God to make each lesson REAL to you and to take quiet time to prayerfully ponder each point and what it means to YOU! To visit the archive of past LESSONS ON RELATIONSHIP FROM SOLOMON, please see
www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/folder_3/lessons_on_relationship_from_solomon
Lessons on Relationships From Solomon, Lesson 15
Unit 2: OUR Part in the Relationship;
Part 2: We Must see Him as our Dearest Friend
Run to me Dear Lover
In Part 1 of Our Part in the Relationship with God, we discovered that God wants us to desire to be with Him the same way He desires to be with us. We need to WANT to be with Him more than we desire the gifts of the Spirit, even more than the cleansing blood! Now let's look at what Song of Solomon 8:14, the last verse in this book, says about seeing Him as our dearest friend:
"Run to Me dear lover." (Song 8:14a from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
Wait a minute. Did I hear that right? Let's look again . . . "Run to Me dear lover!" That's God talking, friend! God is the one calling each one of us "dear lover"! Ponder that for a moment. YOU are the DEAR LOVER of the God of the universe! Just what kind of feelings does that evoke? Disbelief? Denial? Or do you freely accept this as He so desires you to do? Because that's EXACTLY what He is, friend! He IS our dearest Friend! God is our most intimate companion! The first step is to recognize this truth!
But have you ever had someone that you considered to be an intimate friend, someone you've poured out your heart and soul to, only to learn that this person doesn't see you in the same way? If you have experienced this, then you may have a tiny idea what God feels like when we don't see and treat Him as our dearest friend! Friendship must be reciprocated! In order to have a successful relationship with God, we must see Him the way He sees us: As a dear friend!
Ponder this, my friend! Ponder the truth that the place to start to have a relationship with God is to recognize that He is our dearest Friend, our most intimate companion, the One who calls us "dear lover"! Please join us next Saturday for Lessons on Relationships From Solomon, Lesson 16 to see another important aspect of our relationship with God: Spending private time with Him!
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets ( www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons ), Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org .