The Place of Intimacy
There is one condition we must meet in developing intimacy with the King of Kings. We must draw close to God and then He will draw close to us. The way has been opened to us through the blood of Jesus to come boldly into God’s presence. God provides everything we need for life and godliness, and as we draw close to Him we find strength for every situation we encounter. This week’s lesson is all about living close to God. It’s so easy to get distracted with the stuff of life that we neglect spending time with God. But if we truly long to be close to God, we will keep our eyes on Him. We will strive to commune with Him throughout the day. And we will make His Word our daily bread.
Read Psalm 27:4
1. What is David’s greatest desire? Describe what he longs for.
Read Psalm 31:20
2. From what does the shelter of his presence protect us?
Read Psalm 91:1-2
3. What will those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High find? How does David describe the Lord?
Read John 15:4-7
4. What are the advantages of abiding in the Vine?
Read Acts 17:28
5. What should we do in and through Him?
Unless we stay in His presence, we will not grow or be fruitful in our Christian walk. The word abide means to take up residence, which is exactly how we become fruitful for the Kingdom of God. As the branch, we must stay attached to the Vine for nourishment. Jesus is the Source of life within us. As we spend time with Him praying, reading, and studying His Word, our lives will be changed. Stop and think how you can intentionally draw close to God today.
David wanted to dwell in the house of the LORD forever – all the days of his live – David wanted to see all of the beauty of the LORD – That is something that you and I should strive for all the days of our lives – GOD has created everything for us to view and realize HIS beauty in everything – I love looking out my back window towards the Canal – I see 12 to 15 deer most mornings – just grazing – I see 15 to 20 wild Turkeys roaming in the back yard – then comes the squirrels running around on the grass – sometimes a big Alligator comes around – all kinds of birds – these things are the beauty the LORD has made for you and I to enjoy each day – and seeing them while I am having my morning Bible study – it is so wonderful.
We will be kept from the strife of tongues wagging – we will hide in the secret presence from the pride of man – How wonderful. You and I will find the secret place of the most HIGH and we shall abide with HIM – David says HE is my refuge and fortress – my GOD – in HIM will I trust – that is such a wonderful verse and you and I can apply it to our lives while we are living for the LORD. If you and I abide in the VINE which is the LORD – we will feel so close to HIM and we can bear fruit because HE is the VINE – without the LORD you and I can do nothing at all – I would not want to NOT abide in the LORD – for then we would wither and die. You and I can ask anything of the LORD as long as we serve HIM with all out heart. We must live and move and have our being in the LORD – for you and I are HIS OFFSPRINGS. PRAISE THE LORD – what a wonderful thought to dwell on – wonderful lesson once again – Thank you – Karen
Karen, I think this is one of the biggest struggles I face. It’s so easy to get distracted as I go through my day. I’m always heart sick if I get to the end of my day and realize that after my quiet time, I don’t remember giving the Lord a thought all day because I’ve been so busy with other things. It does seem to be a little better as I get older, but still seems to raise its ugly head every now and then. I can only be grateful for his amazing grace that he pours out on me.