Topical Encyclopedia Communion with God is a profound and intimate fellowship that believers seek to cultivate throughout their spiritual journey. This communion is characterized by a deep desire to know God, experience His presence, and align one's life with His will. The saints of the Bible exemplify this yearning for divine fellowship, demonstrating a passionate pursuit of God that serves as a model for believers today.Biblical Examples of Desire for Communion with God 1. David: King David is a quintessential example of a saint who ardently desired communion with God. His psalms frequently express a longing for God's presence. In Psalm 42:1-2 , David writes, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?" This imagery of thirst and longing illustrates David's deep-seated desire to be in fellowship with the Lord. 2. Moses: Moses' relationship with God was marked by direct communication and a desire for deeper understanding. In Exodus 33:13 , Moses pleads, "Now if indeed I have found favor in Your sight, please let me know Your ways, that I may know You and find favor in Your sight." Moses' request to know God's ways reflects his earnest desire for a closer relationship and greater communion with the Divine. 3. Paul: The Apostle Paul exemplifies a life driven by the desire to know Christ intimately. In Philippians 3:10 , he declares, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death." Paul's longing to experience Christ fully, even in suffering, underscores his commitment to deep communion with God. Expressions of Desire for Communion 1. Prayer: Prayer is a primary means through which saints express their desire for communion with God. It is both a conversation and a communion, where believers pour out their hearts and seek God's presence. The Lord's Prayer, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13 , serves as a model for approaching God with reverence and desire for His kingdom and will. 2. Worship: Worship is another vital expression of the desire for communion with God. Through worship, believers acknowledge God's holiness, majesty, and love. In John 4:23 , Jesus states, "But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him." Worship in spirit and truth reflects a heart yearning for genuine connection with God. 3. Meditation on Scripture: The saints' desire for communion with God is also expressed through meditation on His Word. Psalm 119:97 captures this sentiment: "Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation." Engaging with Scripture allows believers to hear God's voice and align their lives with His teachings. The Role of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in facilitating communion with God. The Spirit dwells within believers, guiding, comforting, and interceding on their behalf. Romans 8:26-27 highlights this role: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words." The Holy Spirit empowers believers to seek and maintain a vibrant relationship with God. Conclusion The desire for communion with God is a defining characteristic of the saints, driving them to seek His presence, understand His will, and live in accordance with His purposes. Through prayer, worship, and meditation on Scripture, believers today can follow the example of biblical saints, nurturing a deep and abiding relationship with their Creator. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 42:1As the hart pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after you, O God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Philippians 1:23 Library Union and Communion with God the End and Design of the Gospel The Desire of the Soul in Spiritual Darkness God's Guests The Seventeenth Chapter: the Burning Love and Strong Desire to ... No Minister Ought to Keep a Faithful Person from the Communion ... Walking with God Praying Saints of the Old Testaments The Covenant of Grace The Tests of Love to God The Disciple, -- Master, what are Heaven and Hell... Resources Is it acceptable to have communion outside of the church? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is there so much disagreement about holy communion? | GotQuestions.org What does "communion of the saints" mean in the ancient creeds? | GotQuestions.org Communion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Communion of Saints in Exhortation Communion of Saints in Holy Conversation Communion of Saints in Mutual Comfort and Edification Communion of Saints in Mutual Sympathy and Kindness Communion of Saints in Prayer for Each Other Communion of Saints in Public and Social Worship Communion of Saints in the Lord's Supper Communion of Saints is With: Each Other Communion of Saints is With: God Communion of Saints is With: Saints in Heaven Communion of Saints: According to the Prayer of Christ Communion of Saints: Christ is Present In Communion of Saints: Delight of Communion of Saints: Exhortation To Communion of Saints: God Marks, With his Approval Communion of Saints: Opposed to Communion With the Wicked Communion of Saints: The Church Communion of the Lord's Supper is the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ Communion of the Lord's Supper was Continually Partaken of, by the Church Communion of the Lord's Supper: Both Bread and Wine are Necessary to be Received In Communion of the Lord's Supper: Instituted Communion of the Lord's Supper: Newness of Heart and Life Necessary to the Worthy Partaking Communion of the Lord's Supper: Object of Communion of the Lord's Supper: Partakers of, be Wholly Separate to God Communion of the Lord's Supper: Prefigured Communion of the Lord's Supper: Self-Examination Commanded Before Partaking of Communion of the Lord's Supper: Unworthy Partakers of are Guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ Communion of the Lord's Supper: Unworthy Partakers of are Visited With Judgments Communion of the Lord's Supper: Unworthy Partakers of Discern not the Lord's Body Communion With God is Communion With the Father Communion With God is Communion With the Holy Spirit Communion With God is Communion With the Son Communion With God: Holiness Essential To Communion With God: Promised to the Obedient Communion With God: Reconciliation Must Precede Communion With God: Saints: Desire Communion With God: Saints: Have, in Meditation Communion With God: Saints: Have, in Prayer Communion With God: Saints: Have, in the Lord's Supper Communion With God: Saints: should Always Enjoy Related Terms |
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