Yada, Yada, Yada

New Hope, there is no substitute for time alone with God. His presence is the divine encounter that we all need in order to maintain the proper balance our lives require. Time alone with God lends itself to knowing Him in an intimate way that we can't get any other way. This intimate "knowing" is parallel to that which is shared between a husband and wife in a holy, sexual relationship. This is a completely different depth of fellowship than that found in casual sex relationships. 

The Hebrew word for this kind of intimacy is YADA. It is found in Genesis when speaking of Adam and Eve's consummation. It is also mentioned in Nahum 1:7- "The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of, and understands) those who take refuge and trust in Him." (Nahum 1:7 AMP)

Maybe you've heard the phrase "Yada, yada, yada", which generally means "so on and so forth". It's a casual saying that's thrown around without much thought. Well, our English use of this word couldn't be farther from its Hebrew meaning found in the Bible. Yada is more than an act of intimacy-- it is the highest form of fellowship, and we need it in order to survive and live the more abundant life that Jesus provided. 

We see in the gospels that Jesus withdrew often, by Himself, in order to spend much needed time alone with Father God. In Mark 1:35 it says, "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed." 

So how do you get that time alone? You don't have to tell me; I know your life is so busy that you have to schedule time to breathe. But answer this question for yourself: have you noticed that on those days when you make time to be in His presence, in the secret place, in that yada moment, that your life tends to be less hectic, more orderly, just plain easier? I have. But yet and still, life places its demands on us and we put off spending time with God because we know He's always available and we can "catch up with Him later". Let's put ourselves in His shoes for a moment: who wants a relationship with someone whose responses are always rushed and always promises to get back to us but seldom does? Do you? Can any relationship survive like that? Hardly. And here's the irony: we put God off as though He's requesting our presence for His sake!! Have we forgotten that He has everything to give and only us to gain? Time in His presence is for our benefit, not His. Don't get me wrong, He enjoys your fellowship; you are the only one with your DNA who can give Him YOU. But He is the greater one in the relationship who imparts to us. 

Sit down today and evaluate your life. What can you simplify in order to make room for God? A TV show, a hobby? Remember that you can't beat God giving and whatever you give, He will multiply back to you. Now go fellowship with God and yada, yada, yada.

Scripture of the Day: "The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of, and understands) those who take refuge and trust in Him."  - Nahum 1:7

Artis L. Smith