There are two passages in scripture that are very closely related, only opposites. Understanding these will help better understand holiness and intimacy with God. One of the passages describes moving away from God while the other is a formula for intimacy.
Psalm 1:1-2 – Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. (NIV)
Psalm 1 teaches us the progressing of sin in our lives if we reject God. First, we begin to walk in wickedness. Now, walking is movement and, while still moving, we move in and out of wicked behavior. We are exploring until we stop and stand. Once we stand in the way of sinners, we are beginning to become part of that environment. It is a movement toward permanence. Eventually, we decide to sit in the company of mockers. We surround ourselves with others like us so that we are comfortable with what we have chosen. This is a final act of defiance toward God and demonstrates a decision to reside in this place. This is how sin overwhelms us and becomes our whole life. It is not instantaneous, but a process of deception and
rejection.
On the other hand, Psalm 1 also contrasts the blessed one. This is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on His law day and night. What exactly does this look like?
Matthew 7:7-14 – Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (NIV)
First, we see here a similar progression except that this progression leads toward intimacy with God. The first step is to ask because, if you ask, it will be given to you. He is a good father and he will give us good gifts when we ask. Many ask and God responds. Asking is simple as it requires little from us and we are totally dependent upon the Giver to provide. The next step is to seek. Seeking requires much more from us. We must search, explore, discover, examine, and hunt for it. Yet, again, we are told that if we are willing to search, we will find. The Father is good and what we find will be good as well. Finally, we must knock. This is a demonstration that we are
looking for acceptance and to be welcomed. If you approach the home of an acquaintance, you will likely knock and wait to be invited in. If it is the home of a close friend or family member, you may just walk in knowing that you are welcomed and accepted. Jesus wants us to knock so that He may open the door for us and welcome us in. Once in, we are welcome to return often and frequently. If we knock, wanting that acceptance and invitation to come in, He will open the door. This is our progression to intimacy. This is how we move closer to God.
Immediately after this, Jesus warns that the gate that leads toward life is small and few find it. Many will ask of God. Fewer will seek God. Very few actually knock and enter into the intimate fellowship that the Father offers and desires with each of us. The road of the wicked is wide and full. The path leading to the door of intimacy with Jesus is narrow and few find it. It isn’t hidden, just small. Ask God to lead you to the narrow road, seek out the small gate that leads to the door that you must knock on to know real intimacy with God.
Psalm 1:1-2 – Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. (NIV)
Psalm 1 teaches us the progressing of sin in our lives if we reject God. First, we begin to walk in wickedness. Now, walking is movement and, while still moving, we move in and out of wicked behavior. We are exploring until we stop and stand. Once we stand in the way of sinners, we are beginning to become part of that environment. It is a movement toward permanence. Eventually, we decide to sit in the company of mockers. We surround ourselves with others like us so that we are comfortable with what we have chosen. This is a final act of defiance toward God and demonstrates a decision to reside in this place. This is how sin overwhelms us and becomes our whole life. It is not instantaneous, but a process of deception and
rejection.
On the other hand, Psalm 1 also contrasts the blessed one. This is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on His law day and night. What exactly does this look like?
Matthew 7:7-14 – Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (NIV)
First, we see here a similar progression except that this progression leads toward intimacy with God. The first step is to ask because, if you ask, it will be given to you. He is a good father and he will give us good gifts when we ask. Many ask and God responds. Asking is simple as it requires little from us and we are totally dependent upon the Giver to provide. The next step is to seek. Seeking requires much more from us. We must search, explore, discover, examine, and hunt for it. Yet, again, we are told that if we are willing to search, we will find. The Father is good and what we find will be good as well. Finally, we must knock. This is a demonstration that we are
looking for acceptance and to be welcomed. If you approach the home of an acquaintance, you will likely knock and wait to be invited in. If it is the home of a close friend or family member, you may just walk in knowing that you are welcomed and accepted. Jesus wants us to knock so that He may open the door for us and welcome us in. Once in, we are welcome to return often and frequently. If we knock, wanting that acceptance and invitation to come in, He will open the door. This is our progression to intimacy. This is how we move closer to God.
Immediately after this, Jesus warns that the gate that leads toward life is small and few find it. Many will ask of God. Fewer will seek God. Very few actually knock and enter into the intimate fellowship that the Father offers and desires with each of us. The road of the wicked is wide and full. The path leading to the door of intimacy with Jesus is narrow and few find it. It isn’t hidden, just small. Ask God to lead you to the narrow road, seek out the small gate that leads to the door that you must knock on to know real intimacy with God.
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