How to Experience a Better Friendship with God
We don’t live our daily lives contemplating Kings and Queens. Admittedly, we follow Britian’s royalty with intense curiosity. However, we are not under the rule of a sovereign authority.
Living Under Authority
We understand the concept of authority. For example, as children, we knew our parents were our supreme authority. All of us can tell a story or two of our mothers using our full name and striking fear deep in our souls.
In addition, as adults we deal with a variety of authorities. We must consider the government, law enforcement, bosses, spouses, and HOAs. We recognize we must comply to those in authority and the requests they make.
And we all struggle with obedience at times. We think we know better. Sometimes, we find the boundaries an authority places on us frustrating because we perceive the limitations to be too severe. Often, we don’t feel appreciated or respected.
God as our Authority
If we are completely honest, we struggle with God as our authority. We know we are friends with Him, and we also know we are not equal to Him. Still, each of us wants to be in control and do whatever we want.
If God is our friend, then why is He the authority? Most of us don’t declare one of our friends the authority in our relationships. For those of us who are married, we dance around the idea of one being the authority over the other.
The Bible makes it clear that God is the Sovereign Authority and King of all Kings. For instance, Psalms 115:3 and Psalms 135:6 tell us God does what He pleases. In addition, Proverbs 19:21 and Isaiah 46:10 inform us God’s purposes or plans will stand; what God wants to happen will happen.
God is most assuredly our friend. And, in addition, God is also our Sovereign Lord and King. He is the One who is in control of all things.
Lessons from King David
Before King David died, he collected gifts for the building of the temple. First Chronicles twenty-nine tells us how David gave treasures from his personal stash. The leaders and officers of the tribes of Israel followed David’s example and also gave willingly.
In I Chronicles 29:10-19 David offers a prayer of praise to God. I discovered four truths for us to remember in our relationship with God in these ten verses. Last week, in my blog, I wrote, “God declared Abraham to be righteous because Abraham viewed God and treated God in the way God deserved to be viewed and treated. Abraham did right by who God is, and so God declared him to be His friend.” David’s four truths teach us how to do right by God.
Living Right by God
Truth 1: God is Sovereign
“Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all.”
1 Chronicles 29:11, CSB
David clearly states that no one is greater than God. There is no other who is as magnificent or as holy as Yahweh. David also declares that everything belongs to God. Everything under heaven and on earth. God the Father is the supreme ruler and authority, and we must submit to His ways.
Truth 2: God has the authority to distribute wealth, honor, strength, and power
“Riches and honor come from you, and you are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all… But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”
I Chronicles 29:12-14, CSB
We like to believe we earn our living. We declare we successfully did this or that and we deserve what we achieved. David tells us that what he gave to God came from God to begin with. Later in 1 Chronicles 29:15, David states without God we have no life and no hope.
I find it odd at times to know I am in a relationship with someone who holds all the cards. God gives me gifts and blessings; He provides for my life. Then, He graciously and gratefully receives whatever I give Him as if I’d done everything all by myself.
We must understand the key is found in recognizing God is sovereign, and then we must choose to do right by God in all His majesty, glory, and holiness. We do right by God, just like Abraham did, by acting in submissive obedience and trusting God to always provide whatever we need.
Truth 3: God knows us
“I know, my God, that you test the heart and that you are pleased with what is right…”
1 Chronicles 29:17a, CSB
When you read this verse in the NET and the NLT, the word test is exchanged for the word examine. The original Hebrew word means to examine, try, or prove; to examine and/or scrutinize. God has the power to see and understand what is going on inside of us. He comprehends our intentions and motivations.
God has the power and the wisdom to evaluate our inner thoughts, attitudes, and feelings truthfully. We can’t pull one over on God. It’s possible to fool family and friends, but not the Sovereign Lord.
We must approach God with the same heart and attitude as David did in Psalm 51. “You are right when you pass sentence; you are blameless when you judge.” (verse 4b,CSB) We must willingly own up to our sin and failures. All of us can trust our LORD who is not only greater than everything and everyone, but who is also full of unfailing love and grace.
Truth 4: God has the power to transform
“LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the hearts of your people, and confirm their hearts toward you. Give my son Solomon an undivided heart to keep and to carry out all your commands, your decrees, and your statutes, and to build the building for which I have made provision.”
1 Chronicles 29:18-19, CSB
David was well aware that man can be fickle. David knew from his own life that man can be tempted to do what he never imagined he was capable of. Notice that David doesn’t ask God to prompt man to try harder. Instead, David requests that God transform the hearts of the people and Solomon to desire only God and follow Him alone.
David offered a prayer of experience. He knew that God would do what God wanted to do, that’s how David became king. He knew it was God who struck down Goliath and not his own skill with a slingshot. David was also fully aware that one can’t hide from God. He had personal knowledge of God’s great love, grace, and transformational power.
Friends with the Sovereign Lord of All
Our relationship with God is much greater than that of friendship. We have a deep bond with the Creator of the universe, and the Sovereign Lord who sustains all life. We are allowed the privilege of worshiping and living in obedience to the One who offers a life beyond our expectations. Praise be to God for allowing us to dwell in the presence of the Only Supreme Being, the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords.
Jesus is King Photo by Savannah W. on Unsplash
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