The relational nature of God is shown from the very beginning of Scripture. He joined Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden because he wanted to be with them, not because he had to. The whole story of the Bible is a story of God extending His hand to people, not to impose laws but to extend an invitation to a close and enduring relationship with Him. The God of the Bible is intimate, caring, and genuinely engaged in His people’s hearts; He is neither aloof nor impersonal.
The Bible verses about God wanting a relationship with us paints a very different picture of a God who seeks out the lost, builds relationships, and enjoys spending time with His children, in stark contrast to man-made faiths that frequently depict a god who needs to be placated or kept at a distance. The tabernacle in the desert, the temple in Jerusalem, and finally Jesus Christ, who came to mend what sin had destroyed, are all examples of God’s desire to live among His people. God seeks relationships out of love rather than need.
God’s desire for intimacy with His people was highlighted by Jesus’ life and mission. By eating with sinners, mending the ostracized, and bringing common people together in amazing companionship, He not only preached about the kingdom but also lived out God’s will. God breaks down every obstacle separating us from Him through Christ. In addition to forgiving, he extends an invitation to friendship, sonship, and eternal companionship. The ultimate representation of a God who will stop at nothing to be with us is the cross.
Scriptures that speak of God’s desire for a relationship with us serve as a reminder that we were made to know God, not merely to serve Him. He desires our hearts more than religious practice. These bible verses about God wanting a relationship with us demonstrate that God’s arms are always open, regardless of our feelings of deservingness. His love is freely given to those who are willing rather than being reserved for the ideal. God calls us to come close to Him, stay with Him, and walk with Him every day in intimacy, love, and trust through His Word.
30 Inspiring Bible Verses About God Wanting A Relationship With Us in 2025
1. Genesis 3:9
“But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’”
This verse marks the beginning of humanity’s separation from God through sin—but also reveals God’s undying pursuit. Even though Adam and Eve disobeyed Him, God didn’t turn away in anger. Instead, He actively sought them, asking a question that echoes through time: “Where are you?” This wasn’t a cry of condemnation, but a longing for reconnection. It shows that even in our worst moments, God’s first instinct is to restore relationship, not destroy it. His voice is a call to return—not just geographically, but spiritually—to the place of fellowship with Him.
2. Exodus 29:45
“Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.”
Here, God expresses His desire not just to lead or command His people, but to live with them. He didn’t want to be a distant deity—they were to build a tabernacle so He could “dwell among them.” This verse reflects His intention for ongoing presence, not just occasional intervention. The God of the Bible is a relational God who values being close to His people. His desire to “dwell” with Israel mirrors His desire to dwell in our hearts today, emphasizing that Christianity is not a system of rituals but a living relationship.
3. Leviticus 26:12
“I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.”
This is one of the clearest declarations of God’s relational intent. It hearkens back to Eden, where God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. God doesn’t merely want to oversee or instruct His people; He wants to walk among them, share life with them, and be involved in their everyday affairs. The phrase “you will be my people” indicates a mutual belonging and love—a divine adoption into close fellowship. This verse captures God’s dream: a people who love and walk with Him, not out of fear, but out of closeness and delight.
4. Deuteronomy 4:7
“What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?”
Moses asks a rhetorical question that highlights the uniqueness of Israel’s relationship with the one true God. Unlike the impersonal and silent idols of other nations, the Lord is attentive, responsive, and intimately involved in the lives of His people. The fact that God listens when we pray points to an active, two-way relationship. He hears, He answers, and He engages. God doesn’t want a one-sided ritual—He wants intimate, ongoing communication that nurtures our hearts and transforms our lives.
5. Joshua 1:5
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
This promise was given to Joshua as he stepped into leadership after Moses. Yet it reveals a timeless truth about God’s nature—He is not a fair-weather companion. His presence is constant and personal. The words “never leave” and “nor forsake” carry the weight of deep loyalty and enduring presence. God doesn’t just visit us in crisis—He stays with us in every season of life. His commitment to relationship is not conditional on our performance; it’s rooted in His love and faithfulness. He walks with us through valleys and mountaintops alike.
6. 1 Samuel 3:10
“The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’”
This intimate moment shows God reaching out personally to a young boy named Samuel. Rather than issuing commands from a distance, God came and “stood there.” This physical nearness is symbolic of His relational nature. God didn’t just want to use Samuel—He wanted to speak to him, mentor him, and draw him into a lifelong partnership. He called him by name, not title or position. That’s how God calls all of us—not for duty alone, but for a personal journey of growing together in friendship, purpose, and faith.
7. 2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
This verse reveals God’s desire not just for obedience, but for heartfelt connection. God doesn’t merely seek moral behavior—He wants us to *seek His face*. That phrase implies intimacy, like a child looking into the face of their father. God invites us to draw near, not only for help but for deep fellowship. His promise to respond—to *hear*, *forgive*, and *heal*—shows that He’s not passive; He actively waits for our return. This passage beautifully illustrates God’s open-door policy for those who genuinely long to reconnect with Him.
8. Psalm 25:14
“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.”
This verse reveals an intimate aspect of God’s relationship with those who revere Him: He *confides* in them. This is more than instruction—it’s friendship. God shares His heart, His plans, and His truths with those who walk in reverence and love. He desires not just to teach us but to bring us into a shared journey of trust and closeness. The idea that the Creator of the universe would “confide” in humanity is astonishing—and it speaks to how deeply God wants relationship, not just reverence.
9. Psalm 27:8
“My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
This is a declaration of hunger for God’s presence. The psalmist doesn’t just want God’s help—he wants God Himself. The phrase “seek His face” is about longing for closeness, for eye-to-eye communion with the Lord. God responds to such hearts because He created us for this very intimacy. It’s a two-way desire—God longs for us, and He puts within us the longing to pursue Him. When we respond, like David, with “Your face, Lord, I will seek,” we step into the relational depth that God so freely offers.
10. Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
God is not repelled by our pain—He is *drawn* to it. This verse reflects the compassionate nature of God, who does not ignore suffering but moves in closer. His nearness in brokenness proves that relationship with Him isn’t based on strength or perfection. In fact, our moments of greatest weakness often become the entry points for the deepest intimacy. God wants to be our comforter, our healer, and our ever-present help. His desire is not to abandon us in pain but to draw near and restore us in love.
11. Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…”
Here, God invites us into a conversation, not a courtroom. “Let us reason together” reflects His heart for reconciliation. Instead of condemning us outright, He calls us to talk it through, like a Father who’s eager to heal the rift in the relationship. The promise of cleansing—scarlet sins turned white as snow—shows the depth of God’s grace. He’s not waiting to punish but to purify. This invitation is relational at its core: God wants to walk with us in truth, honesty, and restoration.
12. Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”
God doesn’t merely offer protection—He offers presence. “I am with you” is the language of companionship. When fear arises, God’s answer isn’t just a solution, it’s Himself. He pledges to walk beside us as *our* God, not a distant being, but a personal partner. This reassurance shows that relationship with God is not based on circumstances but on His unwavering nearness. In every fear, God’s presence becomes the peace. He wants us to live life not alone but in communion with Him, fully assured of His closeness and care.
13. Isaiah 43:1
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
This powerful verse captures the personal and possessive nature of God’s relationship with us. He doesn’t just see us as part of a crowd—He calls us by name. The phrase “you are mine” speaks of covenant love, ownership through redemption, and the intimacy of adoption. God doesn’t want a formal or distant association—He wants us to know that we *belong* to Him. His declaration is not based on our merit but on His love. This is the language of a Father who treasures His child and desires constant fellowship.
14. Jeremiah 24:7
“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord.”
God’s desire isn’t just for us to follow Him externally but to *know* Him internally. In this verse, He promises to give us a heart capable of knowing Him—not just intellectually, but relationally. Knowing God is more than understanding His laws; it’s experiencing His love, character, and presence. This deep internal knowledge comes from a transformed heart, which God Himself initiates. It proves that relationship with Him is His idea first—He prepares us, draws us, and opens our hearts so we can truly connect with Him.
15. Jeremiah 29:13
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
This promise reveals the accessibility of God. He’s not hiding—He’s waiting to be sought with sincerity. God desires a wholehearted pursuit, not a half-hearted ritual. When we seek Him with passion, intention, and openness, He promises to make Himself known. This shows a God who responds to relational hunger. He values effort and intention in the relationship just as a loving father does. God wants us to find Him because He delights in being known. His heart is never distant from those who truly seek Him.
16. Ezekiel 36:26-27
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you… I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees…”
God doesn’t want us to follow Him by willpower alone—He wants to live *within* us. In this transformative promise, God says He will replace our stony hearts with hearts of flesh, and give us His Spirit. This isn’t about religion—it’s about relationship through regeneration. God goes so far as to dwell in us so that we can walk with Him in love, not just law. He’s not content with external obedience; He desires inward transformation and intimate fellowship that empowers our journey with Him daily.
17. Hosea 2:19-20
“I will betroth you to me forever… in love and compassion.”
This verse uses the imagery of marriage to describe God’s relationship with His people. He’s not seeking a business arrangement—He desires covenantal love. Just as a bridegroom desires to share life with his bride, God seeks to bind Himself to us in faithfulness, compassion, and tenderness. His commitment is not temporary or contractual—it is eternal and affectionate. God’s love story with humanity is one of pursuit, promise, and passion. This verse paints a picture of God as a divine lover who longs for deep, loyal relationship with His people.
18. Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord your God is with you… He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Few verses reveal God’s emotional investment in us as clearly as this one. He’s not just present—He *delights* in us. He rejoices over us, even sings over us, like a parent over a beloved child. This is not a cold, distant deity; this is a warm, relational God who celebrates His people. The picture is intimate and beautiful: God is not ashamed to show affection. He rejoices in relationship and finds joy in us. His love isn’t just enduring—it’s expressive, creative, and joyful.
19. Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Jesus issues a tender invitation here—not to religion, but to relationship. His call is not based on performance but on need. He doesn’t demand that we clean ourselves up before approaching Him. Instead, He welcomes us in our exhaustion and burdens. The phrase “come to me” is deeply personal—He offers Himself, not just solutions. The gentleness and humility of His heart reveal that He wants a relationship marked by trust, rest, and healing. In Him, we don’t find a taskmaster, but a friend, a shepherd, and a Savior who walks with us through life’s hardest moments.
20. John 1:12
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Relationship with God isn’t based on title or background—it comes by receiving and believing in Jesus. This verse underscores the incredible reality that God wants us in His *family*. Not just as followers or servants, but as children. Adoption is one of the most intimate forms of relationship—it’s intentional, costly, and permanent. God’s desire to make us His children reveals the depth of His love and commitment. It’s not about religion; it’s about becoming part of a household where God is our Father and we are fully known and fully loved.
21. John 14:23
“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’”
This verse reveals one of the most profound truths in Scripture—God wants to *make His home* with us. The Creator of the universe doesn’t merely want to guide or judge from afar; He wants to live within us. Through love and obedience, we enter into a mutual relationship where both Father and Son dwell in us by the Spirit. This is not a temporary visit—it’s a permanent, indwelling relationship. When we love Jesus, we open the door to divine fellowship, and God responds by moving in, making our lives His dwelling place.
22. John 15:15
“I no longer call you servants… Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
Jesus shifts the dynamic here from servanthood to friendship. While He is our Lord and King, He desires relational closeness, not just formal obedience. Friends share hearts, secrets, and purpose—and Jesus extends that kind of openness to us. By making known the Father’s will, He invites us into the inner circle of divine love and wisdom. This verse dismantles the image of a distant, demanding deity and replaces it with the picture of a Savior who walks beside us, talks with us, and delights in calling us *friends*.
23. Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
This verse shows the extent to which God will go to establish relationship with us. He didn’t wait for us to become righteous or worthy—He loved us at our worst. The cross is the ultimate act of pursuit. It’s God’s way of saying, “I want you, even when you’re broken.” His love isn’t reactive—it’s proactive and sacrificial. Relationship with God isn’t based on our ability to reach Him, but on His willingness to come down to us. Christ’s death is the open door to restored fellowship with a holy, loving God.
24. 1 Corinthians 1:9
“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
This verse explicitly states God’s desire: *fellowship* with Jesus. We weren’t just saved from something—we were saved *for* something: an ongoing, personal relationship with Christ. “Fellowship” implies ongoing communication, closeness, and shared life. God’s call isn’t just about duty—it’s an invitation into daily communion with His Son. He is faithful to preserve that relationship, even when we falter. This verse reminds us that salvation is not just a status—it’s an experience of walking with Jesus, hearing His voice, and sharing life with Him.
25. 2 Corinthians 6:16
“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
This verse echoes the language of covenant intimacy found throughout the Old Testament, now fulfilled in the New Covenant through Christ. God’s plan has always been relational—He doesn’t just want to reign over us but to *walk among us*. He desires to *live with* us, suggesting constant presence, shared space, and deep companionship. This is not the language of distance but of divine nearness. God desires a family, not just a following. He wants to be among us, dwell with us, and bind Himself to us in enduring love.
26. Galatians 4:6
“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’”
This verse captures the beautiful transformation that comes with knowing God relationally. Through Jesus, we don’t just receive forgiveness—we receive *family status*. The Spirit within us enables us to cry out, “Abba,” a deeply affectionate Aramaic term for “Father,” akin to “Daddy.” This cry is not just doctrinal—it’s emotional and intimate. It reveals the kind of closeness God longs for with us. He doesn’t want us to approach Him with fear or formality, but with trust, warmth, and the confidence of beloved children.
27. Ephesians 3:17-19
“…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith… that you… may have power… to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…”
Paul’s prayer here reveals that God’s desire isn’t just to save us but to *fill us* with the full experience of His love. The word “dwell” implies permanence, not visitation. Christ doesn’t want to be a guest in our lives; He wants to make His home in our hearts. And that home becomes a place where we come to *know*—not just mentally, but experientially—the vast dimensions of His love. God desires to be known deeply, and to make us secure in the overwhelming knowledge that we are fully loved and never alone.
28. Philippians 3:10
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings…”
Paul’s passion reveals the essence of the Christian life: *knowing Christ*. Not just knowing about Him, but walking with Him, experiencing both His power and His pain. This depth of relationship means sharing life in all its forms—victory and struggle, joy and hardship. God wants a relationship that is real and raw, not polished or performative. He invites us into an authentic journey where we truly *know* Him, not just as Savior, but as Friend, Companion, and the source of all life.
29. James 4:8
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
This verse offers a profound yet simple promise: *God responds to pursuit*. When we draw near to Him, He doesn’t remain distant—He draws near to us. God wants closeness, and He places the invitation in our hands. This verse assures us that relational distance is never due to God’s reluctance but often our distraction. He is ever-ready to meet with us, listen to us, and walk with us. It’s a promise of divine availability, reminding us that relationship with God is as real and responsive as we’re willing to let it be.
30. Revelation 3:20
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
In the final book of the Bible, Jesus is pictured not as a distant ruler but as a guest desiring fellowship. He *knocks*, waits, and calls. The imagery of eating together speaks of friendship, hospitality, and closeness. This is the God who patiently waits for our invitation. He doesn’t barge in; He seeks a willing heart. This verse sums up the heartbeat of God from Genesis to Revelation—He desires relationship. He longs to share life with us. All we need to do is open the door.
Conclusion
The Bible makes it abundantly evident that God longs to have a relationship with each of us. Everything that God has done, from the creation of humanity to the atoning act of Jesus Christ, indicates His desire for intimacy with His people. He is a loving Father who extends an invitation to everyday companionship, sincere conversation, and eternal communion rather than being a silent, aloof ruler. The Bible reminds us that we were made to walk closely with God, to know His heart and be known by Him, not to live separate from Him.
His grace and love, not our performance or perfection, are the foundation of this connection. God meets us where we are and doesn’t wait for us to be perfect. We are accepted as His cherished sons and daughters when we put our faith in Christ. The door to a close relationship with God is now open, and the curtain has been ripped. God’s desire to be with us, lead us, and pour out His love into our hearts is unaffected by the difficulties we have faced in the past or present.
Consider these verses and be inspired to accept God’s offer. Spend time in His Word, speak to Him in prayer, and open your heart to His presence. A connection with God is for every moment, every season, and every aspect of life, not simply at church services or spiritual peaks. His love is prepared to meet you where you are, and He is calling you closer.
