Discerning the Intimacy of God

Coincidences, God-incidences and Discerning the Intimacy of God
God is intimately present with us every second of our lives; and Psalm 105 verse 3 warns: Keep your eyes open for God, watch for His works; be alert for signs of His presence.

Coincidence and God-incidence number one
Two years ago a friend in the UK spent her vacation with me here in Accra. She needed a break, was suffering from serious UK-fatigue and wanted to relocate to Africa. We had planned the vacation activities with military precision.

My work life being the way it is, a few days to her arrival, I had to travel to Sierra Leone. I asked my friend not to cancel her trip. We arranged for her to stay in a hotel for a couple of days whilst I would be away, and I arranged for some friends to socialise with her whilst I was away.

At the hotel, one day over breakfast she had a chat with another guest. They both had the same profession, they discovered. Over the conversation the gentleman became impressed especially by her intellect, her understanding of their profession. They swapped business cards and kept in touch. Today, through their professional networking, they do business together and she has relocated to Africa.

Coincidence and God-incidence number two
Last night I visited a friend who had just returned from a short break in Europe. She bought me two gifts – a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful funky white cotton shirt, and a set a make-up brushes. Immediately I saw the latter, I laughed, and blurted out: “God has a sense of humor.” Why so? Well, try this.

Whilst in the UK myself some weeks back, I had purchased one of those foundation cum powder from Mac. The sales lady told me that I needed to purchase a make-up brush to go with the foundation/powder. The cost? 25 pounds. Haba! Twenty five pounds? Needless to say, I did not buy the make-up brush.

I came back to Accra and was wondering where on earth I was going to find a make-up brush, let alone one of good quality. Stressed out by the thought, I had already given up even before I started to shop for the brush.

And then last night, I received not one make-up brush, but a set of make-up brushes.

God know His Fatherhood responsibilities
To me, that was God whispering to me that He knows every single one of my needs, even those un-uttered, and as my Father, He is absolutely committed to meeting me at my point of need, day after day after day. This was particularly warming and reassuring, as the past seven days have seen my thought life pre-occupied with a particular need.

Coincidence and God-incidence number three
Two years ago a member of our church mentioned to me that God had impressed it upon her heart that a few of us should gather resources together and purchase a new car for our Pastor and his family. His car was very old and rickety and we could not have him driving it much longer, whilst we cruised in our high-brand saloons and 4WD’s. Besides, the Bible is very clear about the importance of, and the blessing that comes with, giving a Levite offering, a Prophet’s offering. This was to be a surprise to our Pastor and it was all very hush-hush.

We promptly embarked on the project with zeal. A dozen or so members were prayerfully consulted about the scheme and we set about the decision as to which car to purchase. Mid-way into the decision-making and gathering of the financial resources, our Pastor and his family had a car accident. No-one was hurt but the car was very badly damaged. It was clear that God had intimately confided in the friend when He prompted her that a few of us should get together and purchase a car for our Pastor. The rest is history. We purchased the car for our dear Pastor and duly handed it over to him and his family within three weeks of the accident occurring.

I know you by name
Last night’s make-up brush moment was yet another way of God reassuring me that He knows His Fatherhood responsibilities and He knows me by name. He will never leave me nor forsake me. My only conditionality is that I follow Him, trust Him and obey Him. Well, I am not sure that I always get any one of those fundamentals right, but then again, God is a forgiving God.

Praying for the purpose of God and occurrence of God-incidences
One of the prayers that I unreservedly pray on a daily basis is that the purposes of God be established in my life. I realise now more than ever what a powerful and intimate prayer that is. I realise that what I am doing is asking God to become an intimate part of my everyday life, to have His way in me. His Presence is always with us but we must ask for that Presence to go with us.

That’s what Moses did. He refused to leave Egypt without the presence of God, without the will of God (Exodus 33). ‘’If Your Presence doesn’t take lead here, call this trip off right now. How else will it be known that You’re with me in this, with me and Your people? Are You travelling with us or not? How else will we know that we’re special, I and Your people, amongst all other people on this planet Earth?’’ God’s response to this heartfelt retort of Moses? ‘’All right. Just as you say; this also I will do, for I know you well and you are special to me. I know you by name.’’

Once you reverently ask for His presence to go with you, you leave yourself open to be used by Him and in the most subtle and intimate ways. He makes you an instrument of His peace, His purpose, His mind.

God friendship is for God worshippers
As I sign off I am reminded of a verse in Psalm 20 which reads: ‘’God-friendship is for God-worshippers; they are the ones He confides in.’’ What a privilege to be a God-worshipper. Like Moses, we can all be identified as a friend of God, someone who God confides in, for God indeed knows all of us by name. Every hair on our head is numbered by Him – not counted, but numbered. And all it takes is reverent God worship.