We believers speak of our relationship with God as if it’s on an equal footing or a bestie kind of situation, when it’s totally misguided. Bumper stickers, t-shirt slogans, and hashtags makes God feel more approachable, more of a 21st century version of the God of the Old Testament. We can understand the intent of it all, it’s a campaign that focuses on the benevolence of God so people won’t be intimated by omnipotence. This approach does nothing for a true relationship with God. We’ve overdosed on grace and have trained ourselves to look away from the parts of God that challenge our lifestyles. Should we rob God of His grace and mercy and not hold up our end of the relationship? We must switch our perspective of viewing God as just a friend to living our lives with God as our King.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Hebrews 1:3-4
Waking up in the morning is no easy feat. When we look closely at our seemingly mundane routines and too full schedules, it’s easy to believe that tomorrow will always be there. Tell that to the 60 million people who will never get to see the year 2022. We get so use to the consistent expansion of our lungs that we forget that the very air we breathe is provided by our King. God is in control of it all, He is the giver and taker of life, as Creator of it all that is His right to exercise. When we rise, we may go straight for the cup of coffee, or our daunting to-do lists but, where is the thanksgiving and the praise of gratitude to the one true King who gave us life? It’s the perspective of God as friend that allows the authority of God to go unrecognized.
. . . and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:5-6
Surely, the absolute power of God is an overwhelming recognition and it’s necessary to keep our heart postured in humility and our own selfish plans surrendered to His will. You can cancel your plans on your best friend, you can break your promises within your relationships but, with God as King over your life it isn’t about dodging phone calls or having petty fights. The cost of disobedience is severe in God’s kingdom because He knows that opposing His will for your life will send you down a path of destruction. It sounds like doom and gloom because that’s what it is! God bankrupted heaven to reconcile our relationship with Him and we rob ourselves of its authenticity if His love becomes expendable when we don’t let go of our own ways.
Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Exodus 33:11
Is God our friend? Yes! It’s only in the posture of obedience that He gives us that honor. Honestly, what else can we give God that He doesn’t already have? It’s a lopsided relationship and God is getting the smaller end of the deal in comparison to Calvary. It’s all He wants; our EVERYTHING. Surprisingly, the Creator of the universe would like a consistent audience with us and not just in prayer or at church services but, even in the small moments between dreaming and awaking. We wake up in service to our Eternal King every morning, our choices, lives, and actions should reflect that. When we understand how to live under the rulership of our King, it is only then He will call us friend.