To Be Friends with God, You Have to Slow Down
By Rick Warren
“Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises” (Psalm 25:14 TLB).
If you want to build a deep relationship with God, you have to slow down and be quiet.
Friendship with God is like any other friendship — you have to make time for it. If you don’t make time for your human friends, they’re not your friends. You make time for your friends. And if God is going to be your best friend, you’ve got to give your best time to him.
The Bible says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a NIV).
You need to have a daily quiet time with God. You have to be still so that you can know God better.
Psalm 25:14 says, “Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises” (TLB).
Many people don’t know God. They haven’t experienced God’s love. They don’t know why he does what he does. Yet, the Bible says that friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. In other words, those who slow down and spend time with him.
What would a friendship be if you never invested your time in it? Friendships need attention. You will never know God intimately if all you do is just come to church services. You’ve got to read God’s Word and ask him, “God, is there anything you want to say to me?” You don’t have to use any fancy phrases or words. Just talk to him authentically. And then listen!
The Bible says it like this Matthew 6:5-6: “When you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production .... Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace” (Matthew 6:5-6 MSG).
Slow down today, focus on God, and listen as he speaks to you about his grace.
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Talk It Over
- What are the distractions that keep you from being still before God? How can you limit those distractions?
- Why is it sometimes easier or more enjoyable to spend time with our human friends rather than with God? What do we misunderstand about God when we feel this way?
- How do we turn our quiet times into theatrical productions? What will you do to slow down, be quiet, and spend time with God simply and honestly?
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This devotional © 2016 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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