Psalm 42: 1; Ephesians 1:9; Jeremiah 33:3; Revelation 4: 1

“As the deer pants for water, so I long for you, O God. ² I thirst for God, the living God. Where can I find him to come and stand before him?”

“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

There are three levels of relational experiences – an acquaintance defines a very lose bond of friendship; this is someone you know slightly, or just in contact with. The word acquaintance connotes a small level of familiarity; better than a complete stranger, but not deep enough for meaningful friendship. A casual friend is a slightly higher level than an acquaintance; there are occasional hangouts but still at a minimal level. A Best friend defines the highest form of friendship – this is someone you know at a very deep level and share the closest bond of relationship.

Intimacy stems from the closest bond of relationship between two people who share a deep level of trust (like best friends). Our relationship with God should stir a yearning in our heart to know Him at a deeper level. Certain benefits accrue to only those who are intimate, or best friends with God, as highlighted throughout the Bible.

The following three points are necessary for an intimate relationship with God:

Hunger & Thirst – If you want to know God at a deep level, you must yearn and thirst for it. This level of relationship is only cultivated when you chase after God. The Psalmist said “as the deer pants for water, so I long for you, O God.  I thirst for God, the living God. Where can I find him to come and stand before Him”? – can you feel the passion/desire in this statement?

Total Trust – Trusting God does not come easy. One must be willing to come to a place of complete trust where you don’t question His plans, His ways, His methods, and His timing. You are rest assured that He has your interest in mind (no matter the prevailing circumstances), and that is sufficient for you!

Complete Obedience – From the Bible, one gets the hint that obedience cannot be negotiated in our walk with God. God expects immediate and complete obedience, even when it’s not convenient. Why was Abraham called the friend of God? Because he demonstrated an unprecedented level of obedience that set him apart from the rest!

With God, the outer courts are for acquaintances, and casual friends who are not willing or yearning to go the extra mile. However, the inner court is for God’s best friends who are seeking the deep things of God – to whom HE will reveal His mind and secrets about things to come – and pour out His power (into such vessels) for a testimony of His name!

Where are you – in the outer or inner court?