6 September

 The kind of relationship God calls you to is a:

Relationship based on faith
The prophet Isaiah looks forward to a time where his people ‘will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel’ (10:20). He goes on to say that on that day they will say, ‘Surely God is my salvation; I will trustand not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation’ (12:2–3).

Here, at the heart of the Old Testament, we see that faith (‘I will trust’) and salvation are strongly linked. The New Testament makes it abundantly clear that you are saved by your faith in the Lord (Jesus).Relationship based on respect
Isaiah speaks of ‘the fear of the Lord’. Isaiah calls the people of God to fear God but says ‘do not be afraid of the Assyrians’ (10:24). If you truly fear God (in the biblical sense of holy respect) you need fear nothing and no oneelse.Relationship brought about by the Holy Spirit
Knowing the Lord involves watching and listening to the Holy Spirit, allowing him to lead you in your hearts. Isaiah writes:

‘The life-giving Spirit of God will hover over him,
   the Spirit that brings wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit that gives direction and builds strength,
   the Spirit that instils knowledge and Fear-of-God’ (11:2, MSG).
God has a global vision: ‘The whole earth will be brimming with knowing God-Alive, aliving knowledge of Godocean-deep, ocean-wide’ (v.9, MSG). So should we. William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, said, ‘I am thinking up a plan, that when it is hatched, will bring blessing to the whole wide world.’

Jesus has made it possible for you to know God. The same Spirit of the Lord who rests on Jesus is given to you. He will give you wisdom and understanding, counsel and power so that your life can have a huge impact.