Pathways Press.com

Written by Mark Roberts, a contemporary writer.

I’m struck by how challenging it is to have a relationship with the one true God. It would be impossible to have such a relationship if God did not choose us and enter into a covenant relationship with us through Christ. But just because God has initiated a relationship with us, and just because this relationship depends on God’s grace, that doesn’t mean it isn’t challenging to live so that God’s purposes are realized in us and God is glorified through us… By saying our relationship with God is challenging, I’m not saying it isn’t also wonderful, amazing, and greatly to be desired. I’m also not saying that there is anything wrong with God and how God relates to us. But I think anyone who has a relationship with the living God would agree that it can be a challenging one.

I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments; let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have offended you deeply, failing to keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses. . . . O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man!” [Nehemiah 1:5-11]