I continue to pause this question to you virtuous woman: ‘Apart from God’s earnest longing to relate with us, do you know that God also made us for relationships with each other?’ The connection between the two relationships is very clear. Just read the whole of Psalms 15. In this psalm, David asks the Lord in verses 1 and 2: ‘Who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?’ And what was God’s response? Verses 2 to 4 speak of the one who has truth in his heart, one who does not backbite with his tongue nor does evil to his neighbour, nor does he take up a reproach against a friend, in whose eyes a vile person is despised but he honours those who fear the Lord, etc. In other words, God is saying: Those who walk in open, honest, right relationship with others.
To experience God’s presence, you must purpose to have strong relationships with others. I state again, you must purpose. There is no other way; it all begins with you. BUT that is a study for another day! When our relationship with God is strong, it will be reflected in our relationship with others. Conversely, our relationship with others affects our relationship with God.
Have you ever heard someone say: ‘I really love God and have a wonderful relationship with Him. It is just His people that I cannot stand?’ Seems funny, doesn’t it? But I would question the depth and honesty of that person’s relationship with God. I mean, have you ever tried praying, or entering into God’s presence when you are angry with your spouse? Your child? A friend? Your boss? It doesn’t work. Our relationship with God is in tandem with our relationship with others. The two go together and are not meant to function exclusively. Someone said the height of our love for God will never exceed the depth of our love for one another, powerful saying!
In light of the above, why do good relationships seem out of reach? Read on!
