Developing Our Relationships

by Pastor Mark
March 28, 2019

The challenge to develop vital relationships

The last message that Pastor Charles gave during Family Camp was most inspiring. It was focused on relationships. There are multiple themes in which we want to understand and to develop. These crucial relationships summarise for us the first 44 books of Isaiah. They are relationships that God desire for us to grow.

1. A personal relationship with God

a. Our part

God was seeking to restore a personal relationship with His people that had been broken. The prophet Isaiah understood this, “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’” (Isa 12:2) There was an emphasis placed on the personal pronouns…“I” and “my”. Though God was angry with Israel, His anger was turned away. (Isa 12:1) God was to be Isaiah’s and Israel’s salvation. Previously, Israel’s relationship with God was severed. (Isa 59:1) God was looking for a personal, restored relationship with Israel. This personal relationship is not just about understanding, blessings and experiences. The relationship between Israel and God was to be restored, repaired and revived. When God pours His water upon us as dry ground, there is a rejuvenation of the soul. There will be a revival of our relationship with God. Let us be challenged to do our part in having a personal and revived relationship with God.

b. God’s part

There is another part in this relationship which is God’s part. Would the Lord relate in a personal way? God graciously and assuredly replies, “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away:” (Isa 41:8,9) God spoke of the full restoration of His relationship with Israel. They are His servant. He chose Jacob. God said further to Israel, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” (Isa 43:1) What a beautiful thought…to know that we are the Lord’s! Let us be challenged to cultivate this personal and beautiful relationship with God.

2. Communal relationship

Not only is there a personal relationship, but there is also a communal relationship which is tied to the concept of Zion. Isaiah initially focused on the personal aspect. (Isa 12) The tone changes to the communal when Isaiah used the plural first-person perspective, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” (Isa 25:9) In using “we” and “us”, Isaiah was seeing things from a collective standpoint. It is no longer about individuals seeking to do their own thing, but rather it is about the community spirit. It is no longer about “I” but “we”. Let us be challenged to develop ourselves as the Bethany family and the IPC family.

3. Servant–Master relationship

“But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen,” (Isa 41:8) This is not just about service. God desires the servant-Master relationship, not perfunctory service. The best example we have is the Lord Jesus Himself…who is the Servant of the Lord. (Isa 42:1) We are to behold Him who demonstrated that Servant–Master relationship perfectly. Let us be challenged to follow His example as a servant. Let us be challenged to draw from the wells of salvation and to develop these beautiful relationships in our life and ministry.

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