Bible Reading: Amos 1, 2, 3, Revelation 6.
Memory Verse: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3 (KJV)
When you are so familiar with someone, you tend to take them for granted. Instead of knocking the door of your friend before entering his room, you just open and go in straight irrespective of his level of preparation. That action is often premised on the ground that your close friend cannot be embarrassed in any situation you find him. But sometimes, some people take undue advantage of such familiarity such that they throw caution to the wind completely. At that level, familiarity tends to disrespect. It is, therefore, important to know the boundaries so as to maintain the respect that your friend deserves inspite of the familiarity.
This is more important if your familiarity is with a senior partner. That is the case between us and our God. While God expects us to be so intimate, it must still be done within confines that recognise God as a senior ally so that you do not become contemptible of God. When we become too familiar with God, it can lead to disrespect which may in turn become very costly. For example in 2 Samuel 6:3-7, Uzzah was killed by God when he tried to steady the Ark of God when it shook on its way from Uzzah’s father’s house to the city of David. Uzzah was familiar with the Ark of God having been kept in his father’s house for years that he forgot the Sovereignty of the Ark and he paid with his life.
It was same familiarity that crept in which made Ananias and Saphirah to lie to God on the price they sold their land and they both paid with their lives in Acts 5:1-10.
While it is great to be intimate with God, it is still very important that we recognise that He is the Almighty, our senior partner and there are things he will not tolerate no matter our closeness with him. The bible says, without holiness no man shall see the Lord. So you cannot be toying with sin and expect God to remain in alliance with you. That’s why Amos 3:3 (KJV) says “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” For you to walk closely with God, you must know his likes and ensure you live within it. Don’t let your familiarity with him breed contempt because it could be fatal! Action Point: Study the word of God regularly to know who God is and ensure you give him reverence at all times.
Bro. Biodu Oyapero