Have you ever thought about maintaining your relationship with the Lord? Let me explain. Recently we remodeled a home our daughter purchased. It had been greatly neglected for decades. In some places paint was peeling. The oak floors no longer had any finish left on them and were pitted and weathered. After months of hard work and renovation the house was restored and looked like new.
Sometimes our relationship with the Lord can be like this house. A relationship with the Lord that is not maintained falls into disrepair. Instead of depending on the Lord we begin to act independently and live away from the Lord’s guidance. This results in our lives becoming tattered and worn as our daughter’s house. We may look ok on the outside, but if we are honest, inside we are hurting and in need of restoration.
God warned Asa About Their Relationship
The Lord is often called the divine intruder. He used Azariah to warn Asa not to neglect his relationship with the Lord. 2 Chronicles 15:1 Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, 2 and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without the Law to instruct them. 4 But whenever they were in trouble and turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him out, they found him. [1]
The Holy Spirit guided Azariah to warn Asa. If we listen to the Holy Spirit, He will do the same for us, He will warn us if we get off the path God wants for us.
How Do We Maintain our Relationship with the Lord?
First, we need to follow the great and first commandment in the law. Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. To build a strong relationship with God, surrender yourself to Him.
Matthew 22:36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. [2]
Second, God truly loves His people. Thus, if you want to strengthen your relationship with God, make sure you are creating a good relationship with your neighbors and other people. This means do good to them, offer to help them, and maintain a harmonious relationship with them.
Matthew 22:39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” [3]
To hear more about maintaining your relationship with the Lord, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/seeking-the-lord-changes-my-life-asa
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.