The Desire for Intimacy
We all desire intimacy with God, but are we willing to do what it takes to cultivate such a relationship? Jesus modeled true intimacy with His Father through faithfulness, obedience, and love for God’s word. He clearly instructed us on how to achieve this intimacy:
John 14:21-24 (KJV) | He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
Intimacy with God is cultivated not merely by reading a book, but by actively hearing and following the voice of the Holy Spirit:
John 14:26 (KJV) | But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Purification by God’s Spirit
Malachi prophesied that Christ would purify God’s people, comparing the process to refining silver and gold:
Malachi 3:1, 3 (KJV) | Behold, I will send my messenger… and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
These purified “sons of Levi” symbolize those who forsake idols and live in God’s covenant of life and peace (Ezekiel 44:15, Malachi 2:4-5, Romans 8:6).
When gold and silver undergo purification, all impurities are burned away. Similarly, God uses trials and tribulations to purify and establish our hearts. Trials intended by Satan for destruction are transformed by God into instruments of purification, producing hearts steadfastly devoted to Him:
Psalm 17:3 (KJV) | Thou hast proved mine heart… Thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing…
Purification through trials does not imply perfection, but a responsive heart continually turning towards repentance and obedience:
Isaiah 30:21 (KJV) | This is the way, walk ye in it…
God’s Protection and Presence
God promises protection and shelter for those who pursue holiness and intimacy with Him:
Isaiah 4:4-6 (KJV) | When the Lord shall have washed away the filth… by the Spirit of judgment, and by the Spirit of burning… there shall be a tabernacle… for a covert from storm and rain.
Drawing from Israel’s wilderness journey, Isaiah emphasizes God’s ongoing protection:
Isaiah 43:2 (KJV) | When thou passest through the waters… through the fire, thou shalt not be burned…
Zechariah 2:5 (KJV) | For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.
The Spirit of Judgment and Burning
God employs the Spirit of judgment to convict and cleanse our hearts, urging us to self-examination and repentance:
1 Corinthians 11:31 (KJV) | For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
This judgment targets and removes inward lusts and selfish desires, replacing them with genuine love for God:
John 16:8 (KJV) | And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
The Spirit of burning executes this judgment, sanctifying and empowering believers to live righteously, putting to death sinful desires:
Romans 8:13 (KJV) | For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Galatians 2:20 (KJV) | I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…
Jesus exemplified this process, emerging from temptation empowered by the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:14). Likewise, believers walking by the Spirit experience peace and mercy as part of God’s covenant community:
Galatians 6:16-17 (KJV) | And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them…
Ultimately, walking in obedience and covenant with God guarantees spiritual nourishment, protection, and comfort:
Revelation 7:16-17 (KJV) | They shall hunger no more… for the Lamb… shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters…
The Destructive Power of Sin
Sin disrupts our relationship with God, severing the intimate connection we seek:
Ephesians 2:1 (KJV) | And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.
While our sin alienates us from God, His love remains steadfast, demonstrated through Christ’s sacrifice:
Romans 5:8 (KJV) | But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
It is our sin—not God—that hides His face from us:
Isaiah 59:1-2 (KJV) | But your iniquities have separated between you and your God…
God continually searches for hearts fully committed to Him, eager to strengthen and support them:
2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV) | For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro… to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.
Conclusion
True intimacy with God requires faith, obedience, and submission to the purifying work of the Holy Spirit. Though trials come, they serve as instruments of refinement, purifying us and leading to greater communion and joy in God’s presence. Sin separates, but repentance and faithfulness restore intimacy, allowing us to experience the fullness of God’s love and power.