Lord, Why Aren’t We Better Friends?
(This section is taken from the book, “The Destiny of an Overcomer” https://unitedrevival.com)
I asked the Lord this question and the following is the answer I felt He gave me, in its rawest form, from my prayer journal. The verses that follow each part of His answer are the scriptures I felt He gave me as a confirmation of what He was saying. First, He gave me Second Timothy 3:2–4:
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
“Son, every person has specific areas in their lives that detract from our relationship. Some love to study the Word, but they forget about experiencing Me — just being with Me, and their faith becomes just a mental thing.”
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life (John 5:39–40).
“Some love miracles and the supernatural, but they get so caught up in them that they can forget to see Me in them.”
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matt. 7:22, 23).
“Some love the world and the things of the world too much and I can’t get close enough to them because I am holy and the sin in their lives keeps Me at arm’s length and ruins our relationship. I can only get so close without their consent.”
But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the Word, making it unfruitful (Mark 4:19).
“Some love safety and tradition and become dogmatic and religious, and they remain where I was and have been — instead of pressing towards where I am going — and they don’t seek Me anymore.”
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first (Rev. 2:4, 5).
“Son, in every case, I want them to turn their gaze back on Me. I want to lift their eyes off the other stuff and onto Me. I want them to want Me. I’ll try and remind each of them in their situation to come back to Me, but those who really want to be my friend; they must seek Me.
I want them to hunger and thirst after Me . . . to desire Me so much that they can’t get their eyes off of Me — to where they search for Me with all of their heart (Jer. 29:13). This is not a trite phrase. I don’t mean seeking Me with all of your heart for an hour a day or just on Sundays, or just when you think about it. I mean that you seek Me with all of your heart all of the time. All of the time.
To wake up with Me on your mind. To go to sleep with Me on your mind. To eat with Me on your mind. To be totally consumed with desire for Me. With this kind of intimacy I can direct and order your steps. I will lead you — I will be your shepherd — and you will know My voice.
Everything in your life will be a reflection of Me; this is abiding in the Secret Place. This is walking in My presence. This is being My friend. People will think that you’re crazy, but they will want what you have . . . they will want Me. That’s what I want from everyone — that they would desire Me this much. This kind of living will totally destroy religion and fix so many problems.
