11/26/2025
When we first meet Him, God doesn’t just rush into our lives, He treats us much like I learned to treat stray or feral dogs and cats when I was a boy. When I met an animal for the first time I would approach it very slowly, and when I noticed that it was getting nervous or was preparing to run I’d stop; all the while I was speaking to it in a soft and reassuring voice. This is very similar to how God approaches us before He reaches out His hand towards us.
“And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"”
1 Kings 19:12-13 ESV
God has never shouted at me; He didn’t bully His way into my life or affairs. When we met He approached me with a soft and gentle voice so that I was drawn to Him of my own accord. I felt the magnetism of His peace and calm calling to me, as if I were being enchanted, and although I was uncertain how, I wanted to be with Him. Does this sound familiar to you? Wouldn’t you have been inclined to run away or back off if He frightened or pressed you? This is how it is when we first meet God. He deals with us by revealing His calm and loving nature with amazing patience and calm determination.
So, as a boy I loved stray or feral animals. I learned how to gain their confidence and after much time and tenderness I would ultimately win their affection too. Once I had calmed the animal I wanted to befriend, and sensed its tension subsiding, I’d slowly extended my hand with my fingers together and curled. In this way I would slowly let it smell my scent, win it over, and take it home where I would beg my mother to let me keep it.
God does this with us as well. When we read the accounts of how He uses His hand in the Bible we find that sometimes it is to strike down people and kingdoms, so when He first extends it towards us our inclination is to be fearful and to withdraw from it. Yet through Jesus the hand of God becomes something quite different, it becomes one of mercy, healing, and wonder... and it loses its harsh and fearful sense; it also carries with it the scent of heaven and this serves to further calm us.
“while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
Acts 4:30-31 ESV
So it was that after I had allowed an animal to grow accustomed to my presence and demeanor, and it was calmed by the fact that my scent didn’t carry with it a smell of death or fear, that it would view me as a curiosity and not as something to be feared. When this milestone had been reached, I would extend my fingers and attempt to make first contact. I did this with a slow and gentle touch.... often pausing and all the while continuing to peacefully whisper to it in a tone filled with love.
God does this as well; He extends his fingers calmly towards us and ever so slowly and gently touches us for the first time. I will never forget that first touch in my own life, even though I was still pensive I allowed Him to touch me, and at the instant His finger made contact with me I felt His Spirit, and every hair on my body stood up, and goosebumps covered me. I couldn’t get enough of that feeling, and it was a moment of absolute bliss. Do you recall your first touch from God and encounter with Jesus?
“You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.”
Psalms 145:16-17 ESV
Soon after the animal I was trying to befriend had thus accepted my touch without fear I would begin to slowly run my hand down its back and rub my fingers behind its ears. I had become not only trusted but was no longer threatening, and was accepted as something that brought pleasure, and helped scratch those unreachable places.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
The Lord touches places in us that can’t be reached in any other way. He brings contentment into our lives each time He is near, and we long to be with Him always. In this way our encounter will have progressed into uncharted territory, and is now moving beyond a simple physical attraction into one that is spiritual. Albeit it is one that we can’t really explain; it is becoming something much more... a relationship.
After much rubbing and scratching behind the ears, and once I had been fully accepted, I gently picked up the animal and held it to me. We were joining together, but if my new friend squirmed in the least I would put him down and just let him come back to me once more. Eventually we became inseparable, and the trust we had developed become something much larger… love and friendship.
“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”
Isaiah 40:11 ESV
At this point the once wild animal and I were joined for life, and our relationship grew as this creature came to know my nature, my touch, my scent, my goodness, and my help. At this point He would lovingly enter my house forever and he would bring me great joy and pleasure.
God in like manner takes great pleasure in our relationship with Him, and He desires for us to be with Him, and to dwell in His house... forever. Are you at this point in your walk with the Lord and as you follow Jesus, or is this something you are yet to experience to its fullest? Let’s consider our relationship with Jesus and God as we pray together…
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalms 23:6 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for calling my name so softly, for extending your hand to me, and for drawing me to you. I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ through whom the terror of your mighty hand has become the tender touch of a healer, and a gentle instrument of grace. You called me in from the wild and transformed the nature of my feral sinfulness by taming the spirit within me. You have drawn out in me the image of yourself that had been distorted by the fall of Adam so long ago. I now see in you Father, the true and ever-patient shepherd who tends to me, and treats me with care and affection. You came for me when I was lost, and in love you have brought me into your house. Thank you Father for your touch and loving voice. You are worthy of all my praise and adoration; I worship you day and night and sing your name in my prayers. The relationship you have established with me is the treasure of my life, and the crown upon my head... you have anointed me Father and call me child and I call you Abba. How can I ever stray from your side? How can I ever wander beyond your sight? In your house I will remain forevermore, and in your arms I will rest always. Praised be your mighty name, and your gentle voice that draws me near.
Hear me as I sing my Hallelujahs and lovingly whisper Amen.
Amen.
Rich Forbes