Young Adults' Group

Sustaining Our Relationship With God

by Pastor Mark
June 23, 2022

The challenge of sustaining our relationship with God

As we come to the midpoint of 2022, let us ask ourselves candidly, “How is our relationship with the Lord? Have we been able to sustain a loving relationship with Him?” The challenge of relating with God is not only in its commencement. The greater challenge is whether we have been able to sustain and develop our relationship with God consistently. This was a problem that Israel faced and it was something that the Lord called the prophet Jeremiah to address.

Starting well

Israel started well in its relationship with the Lord. God recalled with delight what Israel was like to Him as a young nation.

1. The Lord had fond memories of Israel (Jeremiah 2:2).
2. They had a living and loving relationship.
   • Israel showed kindness to the Lord when it was young (Jeremiah 2:2).
   • It was in love with God, just like a young betrothed bride (Jeremiah 2:2).
   • Israel followed the Lord wherever He led it, such as through the wilderness (Jeremiah 2:2).
   • It willingly travelled to the promised land, Canaan, a land not sown (Jeremiah 2:2).

Let us appreciate the kind of loving relationship with God that we should have.

Estrangement in relationship

But there came a time when Israel did not sustain this loving relationship with the Lord. What happened to it? The Lord candidly revealed the estrangement in its relationship with Him.

1. Israel had gone far from God and was no longer close (Jeremiah 2:5).
2. It had forsaken the Lord and turned to follow idols (Jeremiah 2:5).
3. It did not ask, “Where is the Lord?” It was no longer interested.
   • A problem that the people had (Jeremiah 2:6).
   • A problem that the priests also had (Jeremiah 2:8). (As pastor, this is a danger that I am concerned for myself too.)
4. Israel did not seek the Lord for His leading in the wilderness (Jeremiah 2:6).

Israel no longer loved the Lord as it used to and left its first love.

Reasons for sustaining our relationship with the Lord

Why was it vital for Israel to sustain its relationship with the Lord?

1. This was God’s original plan.
   • This was what God had always planned for Israel to share with Him.
   • To have a deep, loving relationship with Him, but Israel left this love.
2. This close relationship was what God desired and was pleased with.
3. In having such a loving relationship, God would bountifully bless Israel such as giving to them the promised land.
4. But as Israel forsook the Lord, there were grave consequences as a result.

Restoration of a loving relationship with God

If we have not been able to sustain our relationship with the Lord, how should we respond?

1. There is a need for us to repent. It does not take much for us to repent.
2. Return to the Lord. Return to the love that God has for us. He has never stopped loving us.
3. Seek the Lord’s cleansing of our sins, the things that prevent us from relating to Him.
4. Relate to the Lord as we once did…in kindness, love and following Him.

Let us take the necessary steps towards restoring and sustaining our relationship with God.

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