And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:8-9
“…what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. I John 1:3
I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts. Psalm 119:63
The God of the Universe communicates with man! Is that astounding to you? It is too me. Jesus told His disciples, “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you,” (John 16:7) to teach and remind us of ALL Jesus had said and done. God created man for fellowship with Him: A companion, someone to talk to daily.
In the Garden, man was in harmony with the God of the universe. Wrapped in a cocoon of love and without fear. A picture perfect world. A Norman Rockwell painting on display for the hosts of heaven to gaze upon. It was considered, “holy, ordinary, amazing grace.” God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are in constant communication with one another. Perfect harmony. God has given man a set of communication skills: Words– written, signed, and spoken. Communication and companionship. All was right with the world ………………..until
Kononia is the Greek word for communication/communion/fellowship. The idea is of belonging to another: A common experience, a union, a understanding. It is an intimacy, a knowing and being known. (Genesis 17:7, Exodus 6:7, Leviticus 26:12, Jeremiah 30:22, 32:38) It is not about the “three R’s of rules, rituals, and religion,” as Chip Ingram stated. It is about seeking God first and His agenda. It is based on the closeness of the relationship: We can seek, ask, knock because we understand the door is open and the provisions are available. Remember the wedding of Cana? Mary sought out Jesus because they were running out of wine at a wedding. Some have speculated this was a brother of Jesus getting married and others have postulated it was simply a close family friend. It really doesn’t matter, the fact is Mary went to Jesus and despite the fact He told her it was not His time to begin ministry or miracles, Mary instructed the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to do and the results were the launching of His ministry. There was communication and close fellowship between Mary and her Son. (John 2:1-12) Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) Jesus told His disciples He only did what the Father was doing. (John 5:19-20, John 12:49) This communication and companionship is a vital part of the relationship.
This communication and companionship is vital to worship. We are created in God’s image to fellowship with Him. This is our spirituality or our ability to relate to God. It provides the depth, dignity, and dimension to our life and allows God to delegate authority and give us dominion over the earth. Our purpose is “to live for God out of our love for God,” according to Tim Keller. This was why God instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle so God’s manifest presence could reside among the people as seen in the cloud by day and the fire by night. (Exodus 13:21) Do we recognize how many times God speaks to us directly every day? I really do not believe we do. Every heartbeat God says, “I love you,” and every breath He whispers, “ I AM here.” From life’s first to final heartbeat and breath we are reminded of His passion for us and then He says, “for I so loved the world (YOU) that I sent My ONLY Son, and if you will only believe, really believe, in Him you can have all I have for eternity and He will share it equally!” (rough translation of John 3:16, James 2:19, and Romans 8:17) Mary of Bethany exhibited true communication and companionship as she sat the feet of Jesus listening to His every word. She was fully present in the moment. (Luke 10:38-42)
Made in the image of God. A mind boggling thought and not to be taken lightly. It is HIS image we reflect to a world “headed to hell on a banana peel” as we say in the South. What are we reflecting? Are we reflecting an image of communion and companionship where we put the needs of another first as He does? Are we seeking to know or just be known? Are we living for God because we LOVE God or because we need “fire insurance?” This is a powerful truth. My life represents God to someone. Do I help another see God as compassionate, loving, and holy or as dogmatic, egotistical, and selfish? A good long look in the mirror is needed today.
Treading with the waiting,
We Shall Behold Him by Sandi Patty
A combination of communication for worship of the Most High God
Karly in the sunshine
Lord, Father in Heaven,
Thank you for the absolute honor of being invited into your HOLY Presence. You have instructed me to boldly enter into Your throne room with my petitions because You desire to communicate with me and fellowship with me. The magnitude of this astonishes me and leaves me speechless! Lord, I desire to be fully present in this moment in Your Presence to hear ALL You desire to say to me. Ahhhh, and isn’t this the crux of the matter? My silence allows me to hear YOU! Lord, May I daily sit at Your feet and feel Your Presence and hear Your voice..
In Jesus name,
Amen
