A Day-by-day devotional

February 13, 2023

Relationship

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Leviticus 9-12

Scripture of the Day: Galatians 4:1-7

Relationships can be blissful but messy at the same time. They can be forged by blood, an emotional bond, or working side-by-side. Hence, our relationships consist of people in the family that we are born or raised in, people we choose to connect with like friends and loved ones we are not biologically linked to, and people we end up being associated with, without us choosing to.

People relating to people could be likened to a roller coaster. Some moments make you soar to exhilarating heights. Still, some moments plunge you down to unwanted depths. People would always be people, they say. We are all imperfect. And being imperfect, we end up hurting each other a lot. Nevertheless, we are also each other’s company in difficult and trying times. Likewise, we join one another in celebrating life‘s joys and triumphs.

We are all created by one Creator Elohim. That being so, we are all made in His image and likeness. This is the very thing that enables us to be drawn together in love. If we creatures are able to relate to each other, the one who created us also long for us to be in a relationship with Him. Since He created us all and we stemmed from Him, He is our Father.

Back in the Garden of Eden, before the world and men were marred by sin, it was possible to physically relate to God. Adam and Eve interacted with their Creator in a similar way that they did with each other. But since sin entered the scene, mankind can no longer draw that physically close to a holy and perfect God. A boundary got in the way. Since God did not plan it to be so, He sent His only begotten Son to the world, to dwell with mankind. Once again, God had a face on earth, an image and likeness His people can interact with. Through His Son Jesus, it became possible for our relationship with Him to be restored (John 14:8-14).

When Jesus died on the cross as atonement for our sins, He rose again and ascended into heaven to be with the Father. But the Father sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, for us on His stead (John 14:16-17). Through the Holy Spirit, we can continue to spiritually be in a relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit is a friend who guides, leads, comforts, and defends us. He shows us Jesus. And it is in seeing Jesus that we are able to see the Father.

Like back in the garden when Adam and Eve interacted with the Father, we also are to interact with Him. The Holy Spirit points us to the Son and we imitate the Son and His ways. We relate to Him. We enter into a relationship with Him. And it is through Him and only Him, that we, one day, could get to be with the Father again, and see Him face to face. Just like in the very beginning!

Reflection: Have you already decided to pursue a personal relationship with God? How do you nourish and maintain this relationship?

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the privilege of being in a relationship with you. I pray that you would help and show me how to do my part in nourishing it. Through the Holy Spirit, help me fix my eyes on Jesus so that I would never lose sight of you. Amen.