Relationships That Flourish: A 30-Day Devotional on Finding Security in Christ and Growing Healthy ConnectionsНамуна

God created us for intimacy—first with Him, and also with others. Intimacy is a deep closeness where we allow ourselves to be known and loved. Tim Keller puts it this way: “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God.” God created us to love and be loved by others in a way that reflects His love for us.

God has a good design for relationships, intimacy, and marriage. His design isn’t meant to limit us but to protect us and give us peace. Scripture teaches that sexual intimacy is to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage. It points us to God’s covenant love for us—a love that is faithful, pure, and secure. Our culture often distorts this design, convincing us that if something feels right, it must be right. On the contrary, God asks us to trust Him: the boundaries He sets are for our good, shielding us from harm and guiding us toward joy.

At times, we may feel regret over choices we’ve made that don’t align with God’s design. The good news of the Gospel is that God’s mercy is greater than our failures. Because of Christ, we are completely forgiven! His love is steadfast, His compassion is unending, and His mercies are new every morning. Today’s Scripture reading encourages our hearts when we are tempted to define ourselves by what we have done. In Jesus, we find not only forgiveness but also the power to walk in freedom and pursue intimacy in the way He designed it.

Reflect: How do you think God’s design can protect us when it comes to physical and emotional intimacy?

Pray: Lord, help me see intimacy as You created it to be. Give me wisdom to walk in Your ways and strength to trust Your good design. Thank You for Your forgiveness and for Your mercies that are new every morning.