The Key To A Closer Relationship With God

The other day I was reading God’s word and reflecting upon some things.  As usual I was in awe and amazement at the relationship that many of the Bible heroes had with God.  Stories of unshakeable faith, two way communion, and the magnificent power of God working through men.  As I began to talk to God about my desire to have a relationship with Him of Biblical proportions, He lead me to David.  David is affectionately known as a man after God’s own heart.  By no means was David a perfect man, as a matter of fact David found himself in some situations that make many of us look like saints.  He was an adulterer, a liar, and a murderer.  He had quite the rap sheet.  Yet and still David was known as a man after God’s own heart.  Why is that?

Here is what God showed me to be the secret of David’s love relationship with Him.  David was thirsty.   He was so thirsty that he wrote these words,  “As the hart (deer)  panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” Psalms 42:1.  

Have you ever been so thirsty that you began to pant?  It’s not very often that we will allow ourselves to get that thirsty.  I’m talking about being so desperate for water that your body literally causes you to breathe so heavily that you can hear your breath.  Now granted this can occur after an exhausting work out or sports activity but outside of that it is highly unlikely that any of us get that thirsty.

Now that you have an idea of what it means to pant, I want you to picture that same kind of thirst for God.  The type of thirst where you don’t think you’ll make it another hour, minute, or even second without taking a sip.

That is the kind of desire David had for a relationship with God.  He was thirsty.  Although he might have fallen off of the bandwagon a time or two, the majority of David’s life was spent panting, desiring, thirsting after God.  It is this great desire that allowed David to have the type of relationship with God that he had.  Im certain it was no different with any other Bible character that had a phenomenal relationship with our Lord.

As I meditated on this verse it was as if I finally got it.  Finally I saw what needed to happen.  Maybe it was time for me to stop admiring the relationship that Moses, Joseph, Isaiah, or anyone else had with God and start thirsting.  Lord Jesus please help me to pant.

So How Do You Pant?

  1. Ask God to make you thirsty.  Ask Him to place an unquenchable desire in your heart for a closer relationship with Him.  He will do it.  
  2. Set aside time in your day to focus on God.   The things we focus on we tend to become consumed with.  So by setting aside just a few moments a day where you will do nothing but focus on God, think of His goodness, reflect on His character, and dive into His word, you will naturally find yourself becoming more and more thirsty for Him.

By following those two simple steps I believe we will be on our way to becoming thirsty and like David we will cry out, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” Psalms 63:1.  So what do you say?  Isn’t it time we get parched?

So what are your thoughts?  What do you do to become more thirsty for God?  Do you see the importance of panting?  Let us know by commenting below.  Also be sure to share this post and subscribe!

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2 thoughts on “The Key To A Closer Relationship With God”

  1. Amen!!! This is my prayer from now on. Thank you so much for sharing this powerful word this morning! It was right on time for me.

  2. SaMonna,
    This was like an answer to my prayer this morning. I had just told the Lord that I want a higher walk, a closer walk with Him so that I reflect only Him in my being. The example of David and his relationship with God as seen in Psalms 42:1 and 63:1 gave me a new perspective. As my soul thirsts for God, He will give me from the living water (John 4:10). I want to desire Him in that way.
    May God continue to bless you in His Spirit.
    Please visit my blog at http://www.valeriedwise.com.
    Valerie Wise-Burrell

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