Drawing Near: The Path to Intimacy with God

Oct 01, 2023

Devotional

Day 1: Drawing Near to God—Intimacy Is Initiated by Us

God invites us into intimacy, but He waits for us to take the first step. The depth of our relationship with Him is not determined by our background, gifting, or spiritual pedigree, but by our personal choice to seek Him. When we draw near to God, He promises to draw near to us, longing for closeness even more than we do. This means that no matter our past or present, we can experience a deep, personal relationship with the Creator if we intentionally pursue Him. [01:23]

James 4:8 (ESV)
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally draw near to God today—perhaps by setting aside time, removing distractions, or approaching Him with fresh expectation?

Day 2: Reverence—The Foundation for God’s Manifest Presence

God’s manifest presence is reserved for those who hold Him in the highest reverence. While His omnipresence is everywhere, His tangible, manifest presence comes where He is honored, respected, and treated with awe. When we approach God casually or without respect, we miss out on the fullness of His presence. But when we honor Him above all else, He reveals Himself in powerful, life-changing ways, transforming our gatherings and our hearts. [08:41]

Psalm 89:7 (ESV)
"A God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him."

Reflection: In what ways can you show greater reverence for God’s presence in your daily life, especially in moments of worship or prayer?

Day 3: The Fear of the Lord—Loving What He Loves, Hating What He Hates

The fear of the Lord is not being afraid of God, but being terrified to be away from Him. It means to venerate, honor, and esteem Him above all else, loving what He loves and hating what He hates. This holy fear leads us to obey God instantly, even when it’s difficult or doesn’t make sense, and to reject compromise. It is the foundation for true intimacy and the key to a clean, enduring relationship with God. [17:41]

Exodus 20:20 (ESV)
"Moses said to the people, 'Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.'"

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have tolerated something God hates? What would it look like to fully surrender that area to Him today?

Day 4: Friendship with God—Reserved for Those Who Fear Him

God shares His secrets and deepest counsel with those who fear Him. Friendship with God is not automatic for every believer; it is reserved for those who honor Him with holy fear and obey Him completely, even when it’s costly or doesn’t make sense. Like Abraham, those who walk in the fear of the Lord experience a level of intimacy where God reveals facets of His heart and plans that are hidden from others. [29:10]

Psalm 25:14 (ESV)
"The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant."

Reflection: Are you willing to obey God fully, even when you don’t understand the reason? What step of obedience is He asking of you right now?

Day 5: Jesus’ Invitation—From Servants to Friends Through Obedience

Jesus desires every believer to move from being merely a servant to becoming His intimate friend, but this transition is conditional. Friendship with Jesus is for those who do whatever He commands, trembling at His word and honoring Him above all. As we grow in the fear of the Lord and establish our identity in Him, He brings us closer, sharing His heart and secrets with us. The invitation is open, but the response is ours. [40:00]

John 15:14-15 (ESV)
"You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."

Reflection: What is one command of Jesus you have been hesitant to obey? How can you take a step toward obedience today, trusting that it will deepen your friendship with Him?

Sermon Summary

Intimacy with God is not a privilege reserved for a select few, but an invitation extended to every believer. The depth of this relationship is determined not by God, but by our own willingness to draw near. James 4:8 makes it clear: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” This means we are the initiators, and God, who yearns for us with an intensity beyond comprehension, responds to our pursuit. His thoughts toward us outnumber the grains of sand on every beach and desert, a staggering reminder of His desire for closeness.

Yet, many Christians struggle to experience true intimacy with God. The missing foundation is the fear of the Lord—a deep reverence and awe that positions our hearts to encounter His manifest presence. Reverence is not about being afraid of God, but about being terrified to be away from Him. It is about valuing, honoring, and esteeming Him above all else. Without this holy fear, we may know God’s omnipresence, but we miss the tangible, life-changing reality of His manifest presence.

The fear of the Lord is not a barrier to intimacy, but the very gateway. It is the posture that welcomes God’s nearness. When we treat God casually, we forfeit the privilege of His presence. But when we honor Him, even before a word is spoken or a song is sung, His presence comes swiftly and powerfully. This was demonstrated in powerful ways, both in personal experience and in gatherings where repentance and reverence brought a tangible visitation of God.

The evidence of the fear of the Lord is found in our obedience—immediate, wholehearted, and without conditions. Abraham’s friendship with God was marked by his willingness to obey, even when it made no sense and offered no visible benefit. Friendship with God is reserved for those who fear Him, those who tremble at His word and delight in His heart. Not everyone in the church is called God’s friend, but everyone is invited. The choice is ours: to live as mere servants, or to draw near in holy fear and become intimate friends of God, entrusted with His secrets and His heart.

Key Takeaways

1. Intimacy with God is Initiated by Us God’s desire for closeness is unwavering, but He waits for us to take the first step. Our pursuit, our hunger, and our willingness to draw near set the depth of our relationship with Him. The Creator of the universe responds to our initiative, making intimacy accessible to all who seek it with sincerity. [01:23]
2. The Fear of the Lord is the Foundation for God’s Presence Reverence is not about being scared of God, but about holding Him in the highest esteem and awe. God’s manifest presence is found where He is honored above all else; casualness and familiarity without reverence keep us from experiencing His nearness. The fear of the Lord is the atmosphere in which God reveals Himself most powerfully. [04:52]
3. The Fear of the Lord is to be Terrified of Distance, Not of God Himself True fear of the Lord is not about hiding from God, but about being desperate never to be apart from Him. It is a heart posture that says, “I cannot bear to be away from Your presence.” This kind of fear leads to a life that loves what God loves, hates what He hates, and seeks to please Him above all else. [16:34]
4. Obedience is the Evidence of Holy Fear Those who fear God obey Him instantly, even when it is difficult, makes no sense, or offers no visible reward. Partial obedience is not enough; God looks for those who will follow Him to completion. This kind of obedience is what marks someone as a friend of God, as seen in the life of Abraham. [29:10]
5. Friendship with God is Reserved for Those Who Fear Him Not every believer is called God’s friend; friendship is reserved for those who walk in holy fear and obedience. These are the ones to whom God reveals His secrets and shares His heart. The invitation is open to all, but it is our response—our reverence, obedience, and pursuit—that determines the depth of our intimacy with Him. [39:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:23] - Who Determines Intimacy with God?
[02:16] - God’s Yearning for Us
[03:25] - The Measure of God’s Thoughts
[04:52] - Manifest Presence vs. Omnipresence
[08:41] - The Necessity of Reverence
[10:05] - Repentance and the Return of God’s Presence
[11:00] - The Wind of God’s Presence
[12:20] - God as King and Father
[14:51] - Understanding the Fear of the Lord
[16:34] - Terrified to Be Away from God
[18:53] - Hating Evil and Loving Righteousness
[23:50] - The Cleansing Power of Holy Fear
[26:58] - Five Marks of Obedience
[29:10] - Friendship with God: Abraham’s Example
[32:15] - God Shares His Secrets with Friends
[34:41] - Lot and Abraham: Two Types of Believers
[36:08] - Knowing God’s Ways vs. His Acts
[39:19] - Jesus’ Invitation to Friendship
[41:10] - Self-Examination and Response
[43:19] - Closing and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Intimacy with God & the Fear of the Lord

Bible Reading

- James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
- Psalm 25:14 – “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.”
- Exodus 20:20 – “Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.’”

Observation Questions

According to James 4:8, who is responsible for initiating intimacy with God? What does the verse promise will happen when we take that step? ([01:23])
In Psalm 25:14, what is the connection between fearing the Lord and friendship with God? Who does God share His secrets with? ([29:10])
In Exodus 20:20, Moses tells the people not to fear, but also that God wants His fear to be in them. What is the difference between being afraid of God and having the fear of the Lord? ([16:34])
The sermon described two types of God’s presence: omnipresence and manifest presence. What is the difference between these, and what kind of atmosphere welcomes God’s manifest presence? ([04:52])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that intimacy with God is not reserved for a select few, but is available to anyone who will pursue it. Why do you think many Christians still struggle to experience closeness with God? ([03:25])
The fear of the Lord is described as being “terrified to be away from God,” not being scared of Him. How does this kind of fear actually draw us closer to God rather than push us away? ([16:34])
Obedience is given as the evidence of holy fear. Why is immediate and wholehearted obedience so important in our relationship with God? ([26:58])
The sermon says that not every believer is called God’s friend, but everyone is invited. What does it mean to move from being a servant to being a friend of God? ([39:19])

Application Questions

The sermon says, “You are the one that determines how close you’re going to be with God.” What is one practical step you could take this week to intentionally draw near to God? ([01:23])
Think about your attitude toward God’s presence—do you ever find yourself treating it casually or taking it for granted? What would it look like to approach God with more reverence in your daily life? ([08:41])
The fear of the Lord is described as loving what God loves and hating what He hates. Is there anything in your life right now that you tolerate but know God wants you to let go of? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? ([18:53])
The sermon gave five marks of obedience: obeying God instantly, when it doesn’t make sense, when it hurts, when there’s no visible benefit, and to completion. Which of these is most challenging for you, and why? ([26:58])
Abraham’s friendship with God was marked by radical obedience, even when it was costly. Can you think of a time when God asked you to do something difficult? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([29:10])
The sermon says that God shares His secrets with His friends. What might it look like for you to become the kind of person God can trust with His heart and His secrets? ([32:15])
The speaker encouraged everyone to ask God for a fresh baptism of holy fear. Is this something you desire? What would you like to see change in your relationship with God as a result? ([43:19])

Close in prayer, asking God to give your group a deeper hunger for His presence, a holy fear that draws you near, and the courage to obey Him wholeheartedly.

Sermon Clips

“Draw near to God, and then he will draw near to you. So the question is, who draws first? Him or us? We do. There's something that we do. We initiate it. That will literally cause the one who put the stars in the universe with his fingers and called every one of them by name to come near me. Now, I don't know about you, but that really excites me.”

“You, not God, are the one that determines the level of your relationship with him. Do I need to say that one more time? You are the one that determines how close you're going to be with God.”

“When you talk about being intimate with God, God is more passionate. Listen to these words. He's more passionate about being close with you than you are with him. Because verse 5 in this very same chapter says, Everybody say yearns. That's not a word we use very much.”

“He, the Spirit of God in you, longs for you intensely and consistently. You know, Lisa and I, we're, she's my closest friend on the planet. But I'm going to tell you something. There are times she's not yearning for me intensely. Like, if I wake her up at three in the morning, I'm telling you, she's not yearning for me. You understand what I'm talking about? She's like, why are you waking me up, honey? Right? But I have had him wake me up in the middle of the night and he's hoping that I'll meet with him because he yearns for you and me.”

“When I think about him yearning for us, I think about what David says in Psalm 139. David said, Lord, if I consider the thoughts that you have about me personally, this is not the church collectively, me personally. He said, if I was able to number those thoughts, they would outnumber every grain of sand that's on this planet.”

“You will never find the presence of God in an atmosphere where he's not held with the utmost of respect. I just said something very powerful and there should have been a lot of amens.”

“The Bible describes two types of the presence of God. One is is his omnipresence right that's where David said where can I go from your presence if I go to the highest mountain you're there if I make my bed in the lowest valley you're there that's the presence of God that says I will never leave you nor forsake you right the other presence of God that is very very real in our Christian walk is called the manifest presence of God. Jesus said, I will manifest myself to you, right? What does manifest mean? It means to bring out of the unseen into the realm of the seen, out of the unknown into the realm of the known, out of the unheard into the realm of the heard. It's when God makes himself real to your senses.”

“I said, I've been in this auditorium now for over an hour and I have not sensed an ounce of the presence of God. And the reason is that he will never come into a place where he is not held with the utmost of respect.”

“Daddy didn't come in. Listen, Daddy didn't come in. The King came in. Okay? You understand? He is Daddy, but He's also King. He is Abba Father. He's also the consuming fire. And I'm sitting there, and all I can say is I'm terrified, but I'm not scared of Him. It's really crazy.”

“I've learned something as a believer. I used to struggle to get in the presence of God. I don't know if you've ever had that, but maybe I was the only one, but I would struggle. And one day I just started, I didn't sing, I didn't pray, I didn't say a word. I just started meditating on the awesomeness of my father, right? I just started meditating on how awesome he is, right? And all of a sudden, bam, there's the presence of God.”

“What is the fear of the Lord? Let's talk about it. Because people are scared of this word. What is the fear of the Lord? First of all, it is not to be scared of God. How can you have intimacy with someone you're scared of? Right? So what is the fear of the Lord? Well, let me begin by saying this. The fear of the Lord is to be terrified to be away from him.”

“So what is it to fear God? It's to venerate him. That's a big word. What does venerate mean? Venerate means you honor, respect, esteem, value, reverence, and stand in awe of him more than anything or anyone else. We firmly embrace his heart. We love what he loves and we hate what he hates.”

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. No, no, no, no, listen, listen. Notice it doesn't say the fear of the Lord is to dislike evil.”

“He said, son learn to hate sin the way I hate sin you'll see the anointing of God increase upon your life.”

“Isaiah is a very godly man he's preaching woe to the wicked woe to the proud woe he has one glimpse of god in his throne and he goes woe is me okay no longer woe is the wicked woe is me because he realized for the first time who this god was he was serving.”

“His delight Jesus is delight everybody say delight was in the fear of the Lord it wasn't in the spirit of wisdom it wasn't in wisdom and counsel might it was in the fear of the Lord shouldn't his delight be our delight do you remember the Bible says in Hebrews that Jesus was heard because of his godly fear it's one thing to pray it's another thing to be heard.”

“The fear of the Lord is clean look at this enduring forever and the Holy Spirit said to me he said son Lucifer led worship right at my throne he didn't fear me he didn't endure forever he said a third of the angels were around my throne they didn't fear me they didn't endure forever he said Adam and Eve walked in my presence they didn't fear me they didn't endure in the garden forever he said every every single being that surrounds my throne throughout eternity will have been tested in the fear of the Lord.”

“What's the evidence of somebody who truly fears god? Number one they'll obey god instantly... Number two listen you obey god even when it doesn't make sense... number three you obey him even if it hurts... number four you obey him even when you don't see a benefit... number five you obey to completion.”

“Friendship with the lord is reserved for those who fear him with them he shares his secrets you know what god's saying right there you know god you know what god's saying right there you know god's saying god's saying not everybody's my friend let me go a little bit deeper okay god's saying not everybody in the church is my friend.”

“One saved born again, righteous man knows what God's going to do before he does it and helps God decide how he's going to do it. The other righteous saved born again man is as clueless as the world. Why? Because this saved righteous born again man fears God. Therefore he's the friends of God. Therefore God shares his secrets with him. This, this saved born again man does not fear God. Therefore he is not the friend of God. Therefore he does not get the secrets.”

“Jesus said, you are my friends. We quote it. We preach it. We sing about it. But we never finish the statement, because you notice the word if? If is a condition. If I say to you, if you work for me, if, if, if, if you work for me for 20 hours, I will pay you this much. And you don't work the 20 hours, you don't get the money. And then you say, hey, where's the money? I say, well, I said, if you work. Jesus said, you're my friends, if there's a condition. What's the condition? He said, if you do whatever I command you. There it is, the fear of the Lord.”

“He passionately, listen to my words. He passionately desires every one of us to be his intimate, close friends. But you're the one that determines the level of your relationship with God, not God. Therefore, draw near to God and he'll draw near to you. Did you get it? Did you get it?”

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