Session 21

Are you standing in the way of your relationship with God?

From Psalms: A 28-Day Devotional

Have you ever tried to talk to someone who wouldn’t listen, teach someone who didn’t want to learn, or correct someone who preferred doing wrong? Maybe you've been the one who was unwilling to listen, learn, or make a change. 

Either way, the effect on the relationship was probably the same. It either stagnated or ended because where there is no humility, there can be no intimacy.

Where there is no humility, there can be no intimacy.

Refusing to receive instruction or hear someone out is one of the most basic forms of pride. We've all experienced it because we're all human. We were born into sin, which means humility doesn't come naturally to any of us.  

King David, who wrote Psalm 25, had every reason to be full of himself. His lineage, knowledge, and position were all to be esteemed. So how is it that David stayed so humble? 

David wasn't perfect, but he was pursuing God — trying his best to seek God's will and asking for forgiveness when he failed (Psalm 25:7-11). As David turned to God, he experienced more and more of God's faithfulness and unfailing love. And as his understanding of God's greatness increased, David's view of himself decreased. 

This is the goal for every Jesus follower: that we might grow less impressed with ourselves and more in awe of our God (John 3:30). 

As David grew in humility, his relationship with God grew in intimacy, and the same is true for us. Every time we listen for God's voice, follow His instruction, and accept His correction, we fight our natural bent toward pride and deepen our relationship with God. 

Giving anyone, even God, that much access might seem scary. But as David reminds us, there's no safer place we can be (Psalm 25:3). 

Reflect:

• Do you have a hard time accepting instruction or asking for help? Why do you think that is?
• Is there any area of your life that's off limits to God?
• What, if anything, stops you from humbling yourself before God?