Take a Timeout

Daily Devotional by Tommy Tenney

Relationship is cultured, not automatic.

Finding Favor with the King, p. 68

Scripture Reading
Genesis 5:21-24; Hebrews 11:5-6, Speaks of Enoch, who "walked with God" for 300 years and "was not, because God took him"; a great example of the reward that comes to those who diligently seek God.

Some things can't be rushed. Building a strong relationship is one of them.

The only way to really get to know someone is by spending time with that person - lots of time. Sustained separation will cause a once close relationship to fade into a distant memory. A close and intimate relationship can be sustained only by close and intimate contact on a regular basis. This is true of any human relationship.

It is also true of our relationship with God. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to start taking your relationship with God for granted? To allow the urgent demands of the day and the routine pressures of life to push aside your intimate moments with the King? When things are going well it is easy to let your relationship with God slip into "autopilot." Before long you begin to presume on that relationship. You start thinking, "God is always there if I need Him." But when a crisis comes and you really do need Him, you often find that your communication tools have become rusty through disuse.

Indeed, God is always there, but a strong relationship is cultured over time. It is not automatic. We find this principle illustrated over and over in the Bible. Enoch is a good example. Genesis says that "Enoch walked with God three hundred years... and he was not, because God took him." Did you notice that? Enoch walked with God for 300 years! He took the time to cultivate his relationship with God and God rewarded him by bringing Enoch into His presence permanently. Enoch is one of only two humans who have ever bypassed death. (Elijah is the other one.)

Hebrews 11:5 says that Enoch's testimony is that he "pleased God." The next verse states that without faith it is impossible to please God but that God is a "rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Do you want to be close to God? Then take the time to cultivate your relationship. Diligently seek the Lord. God desires an intimate relationship with you more than you do. He will not force you, but He will try to draw you near. His Spirit will nudge you and prompt you. But the choice of how close and intimate with God you become is yours alone. It all depends on how hungry you are and how determined you are to press in. You can't get close to God "on-the-fly." What's your rush? Slow down . Take the time to walk with Him every day. Your patient, faithful investment of time will bring in a rich return of intimacy with the King. Take a timeout!

Prayer

Father, forgive me for the times when I've been too busy for You. I want to be close and intimate with You more than anything else in this world. Help me to slow down and take the time to get to know You. By Your grace I will walk with You and seek Your face every day.