Responding in Faith to God’s
Invitation of Life and Peace
through Active Relational Engagement
by Harvey L. Diamond
The God of the universe has been extending His heart and hand to those who will place trusting faith in Him since He began relating with them. To Adam and Eve He offered the fruit of His wisdom and eternal life. To Noah He offered an opportunity of safety and preservation of life. To Abraham He offered friendship and a covenant of blessings to future generations who would embrace His kind of trusting faith and way of life.
Over the centuries a countless number of people have accepted God’s gracious invitations to enter into relationship with Him. He has revealed through many stories recorded in the Bible His awesome power and amazing love. He has further expressed His desire to relate and engage in active relationship with all His children.
How shall we respond? How does one engage in real relationship with an invisible God? Now we’re not talking about forms of religious practices, but active engagement with a relational God who seeks real relationships.
Truly, He has given us two ways: His Word and Spirit. We have His word in the Scriptures. It is His Spirit, though, that gives life to mankind. His Spirit also has the capacity to connect and relate with Him on a personal basis. Old Testament characters experienced His Spirit from time to time. All who believe in Messiah Jesus, though, have permanent access to His wonderful Spirit residing in the heart.
You see, man’s natural tendency is to rationalize about God. That’s how religions are established. God, however, who is Spirit, seeks to relate with His children. That’s why relating with God takes faith—or in reality trust—which is the real essence of Biblical faith.
How to relate with God? How to hear His voice speaking to your heart? One way God did prescribe as a way to relate and interact with Him was through the Appointed Times of the Lord. They, in effect, serve as a blueprint of the way God planned to relate and engage with His people on a continuous basis.
In fact, we’ve created an easy way to learn to relate with God through our PATHWAYS TO GLORY Relational Devotional. Check it out. Through this devotional, you will find a balanced approach to engaging and relating with our relational God and nurturing trusting faith in a way He designed. The Lord bless you along the journey! |