The More Intimately You Experience ...

THE MORE INTIMATELY YOU EXPERIENCE Me, the more convinced you become of My goodness.  You've known this intellectually for years, having been taught since childhood that I am good. However, that teaching did not change you significantly.  Eventually you became a Christian and tasted goodness, yet it was only a taste because you still did not know Me very deeply.  As a result, when things went badly in your life, you tended to resent My ways with you.  Only when you began investing time in seeking My Face did you start to know Me intimately. 

You are on a quest to know Me more fully, but I have actually been pursuing you for quite some time.  Long before you became a believer, I was working to reveal Myself to you.  I placed experiences in our life that exposed your deep need to know Me.  I brought you people in whom you could see the Light of My Presence.  Even after you trusted Me as Savior I continued to pursue your heart, which was divided between Me and worldly goals.  Finally, you began seeking Me with your whole heart, and I rejoiced!

Your wholeheartedness has opened the way for genuine intimacy between us.  You have tasted My goodness, and you want more.  I have responded to this desire in several ways:  I've allowed suffering in your life so that you can learn to trust Me more.  Also, I have blessed you with intimate experiences of My Presence - to boost your confidence in My perfection.  My goal is for you to become so convinced of My goodness that nothing can shake your trust in Me.  Then, your soul will be deeply satisfied as with the richest of foods.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Psalm 34:8; Jeremiah 29:13; Psalm 19:2
and Psalm 63:5