Being Like Him - a 40 Day Lenten Devotionalનમૂનો

Joyful Intimacy

The Trinitarian Family of the Godhead always displayed deep and joyful intimacy even in crisis. Being like Him enables our families to experience intimacy, be it between a husband and wife, parents and children, and even within the household of God. This was Jesus’ prayer to His Father for His Church. He prayed, ‘May they be one as We are one’. That kind of intimacy needs to find its full expression in our home and consequently needs to overflow to our larger family—the Church. But we also know that this is the area the enemy has strived to destroy, beginning from the Garden of Eden.

The Bible records the first instance of joyful intimacy when Adam expressed his intertwined identity with Eve in his poetry, “Bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.” Sadly, the intimacy was quickly lost when the enemy beguiled them to disobey God. What did it cost for such intimacy to be restored? The highest price was paid on the cross for restoration between God and us, and between one another.

How much of that power of the cross that brings reconciliation have we appropriated? The Lord is keen to restore joyful intimacy in our relationships when we seek His forgiveness for our sins and appropriate His power of reconciliation which is available through the cross.

How can we begin to appropriate this joyful intimacy in our relationships? We can begin with a small step—praying specifically over those with whom we have lost a joyful intimacy. It may be with someone within our family or outside. Becoming like Him calls for a radical change within us and may that ‘changed life’ display His love in action. Sometimes our joyful intimacy with others has been affected because of our own pride or the harm caused to us, which God can heal and restore.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we confess that we have allowed our joyful intimacy to be destroyed unaware of the enemy’s strategic plans. We have yielded foolishly to the ploy of the enemy, have hardened our hearts and have lost our intimacy with you and others. Restore us and heal us so we can become more like you. In Jesus name, Amen.