Abraham, spoken of in Scripture as a 'friend of God' (see 2 Chronicles 20:7; Is. 41:8; James 2:23), was a powerful intercessor and the first one mentioned in the Bible. He wasn't God's friend because he was an intercessor; he was an intercessor because he was God's friend. The difference may be subtle, but I assure you it isn't small. He was quite bold in his intercession, by the way, asking God questions like, 'Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?'(see Genesis 18:25).
Intimate relationships produce this kind of boldness; not an arrogant irreverence, but a confident boldness that eliminates the fear of rejection or being misunderstood. When I need a favor, I ask a friend or family member, not a stranger. If it's in that person's power to help me, he or she does. God wants us to be on such intimate terms with Him that it produces bold, confident and effective intercession. I desperately desire that you would experience this type of intimacy in your relationship with God.
And the interceding friends of God become history makers. I have been smitten by this thought: We can either watch history being made, or we can make it. A few years ago on my birthday, a friend gave me a beautiful pen inscribed with the words 'History Maker.' Will I really become one? We'll know in 20 or 30 years. But I can assure you of one thing - I'm going to spend my life investing in the process. Being a history makes sometimes results in the sacrifice of our time, money, and comforts in order to respond to the invitations God gives us. A halfhearted reply or no response to our epoch-making opportunity can also be costly. Let's not make that mistake. Winston Churchill once said, "I'm not afraid of what history will say about me, because I intend to write it." That's my position – how about you?
Intimate relationships produce this kind of boldness; not an arrogant irreverence, but a confident boldness that eliminates the fear of rejection or being misunderstood. When I need a favor, I ask a friend or family member, not a stranger. If it's in that person's power to help me, he or she does. God wants us to be on such intimate terms with Him that it produces bold, confident and effective intercession. I desperately desire that you would experience this type of intimacy in your relationship with God.
And the interceding friends of God become history makers. I have been smitten by this thought: We can either watch history being made, or we can make it. A few years ago on my birthday, a friend gave me a beautiful pen inscribed with the words 'History Maker.' Will I really become one? We'll know in 20 or 30 years. But I can assure you of one thing - I'm going to spend my life investing in the process. Being a history makes sometimes results in the sacrifice of our time, money, and comforts in order to respond to the invitations God gives us. A halfhearted reply or no response to our epoch-making opportunity can also be costly. Let's not make that mistake. Winston Churchill once said, "I'm not afraid of what history will say about me, because I intend to write it." That's my position – how about you?
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