I would like to say something about the “it” factor in our relationship with God.
I began listening to a podcast by Alistair Begg today, and he read a text in Isaiah. I didn’t even allow him to finish the text as I immediately paused the podcast off so I could read the words and listen again as God spoke.
I had to hear it again. My Father was speaking to me.
Here is where he began and as far as I got.
- Isaiah 45:18-19 (NIV)
For this is what the Lord says – he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited – he says: “I am the Lord, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, `Seek me in vain.’ I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.
The “it” factor of the word of God nailed me again.
As I heard and then read this, it was as if I could hear God saying, “Dave, are you catching this, are you listening. I want to encourage you with these words because I am your God.”
God still wows me; still captures my heart and imagination. Still knocks my socks off.
He blesses me with a childlike sense of wonder often as I read his words, but sometimes as I observe a sunrise, or a big, fat bumble bee (not lately), driving down the road, sitting at the computer writing, etc.
Multiple ways throughout my day.
- Listen to him: “he who created the heavens, he is God” / “I am the Lord, and there is no other” / “I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness” / “I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right”
Are you wowed yet? Captured? Amazed, worshiping? You should be.
Hear those words, Christian! That’s our “Dad” talking.
Do we still love God? That is what God himself says it is all about so this is more than a fair question.
Do I still love God? Have I ever loved God?
It’s a big deal. A real big deal. Just ask the Ephesians. Here is what he had to say to a hard-working, persevering church that fought false teachers but forgot the main thing in their relationship with him.
- Revelation 2:3–5 (NIV)
You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
This wasn’t cup half-full as in: “Okay your love is waning, but on the positive you are doing some really good things in my name.”
No! This was. No love – no light. You don’t love me; you will not hold my light.
“You have left love in the dust of your busyness. So remember the better place of love and repent, or I will remove your light.”
No love – no light. That is what it means to Mr. Alpha and Omega.
So I’m asking: Do you still have the “it” factor? Does God still amaze you and send unexpectedly to moments of worship and wonder?
Do you love God?
We can speak to and dwell on how much God loves us, but until we truly love him, the relationship is not complete.
And we don’t have the “it,” the zing. The wonder of being transported to and living in the reality that God is there and that God speaks his truth into this world and my life.
Even right now. I am amazed that God even cares. Yes, “God so loved the world,” but God wants me to love him back? C’mon! And he puts this at the top of his priority list for me to live by? Are you kidding me?
I can’t help it. Abba Father has blown me out of the water again.
I praise you, Father.
