How to Grow Your Relationship with God - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - February 18, 2026
Daily Hope with Rick Warren
Audio By Carbonatix
By Rick Warren, Crosswalk.com
“Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises.” Psalm 25:14 (TLB)
If you want to build a deep relationship with God, you have to slow down and be quiet.
Friendship with God is like any other friendship—you have to make time for it. If you don’t make time for your human friends, they’re not really your friends. You make time for your friends. If God is going to be your best friend, you’ve got to give him your best time.
The Bible says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).
To know God better, you have to be still. And a great way to be still with God is by having a daily quiet time with him.
The Living Bible paraphrase says, “Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises” (Psalm 25:14).
Many people don’t know God. They haven’t experienced his love. They don’t know why he does what he does. Yet the Bible says that friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him—in other words, those who slow down and spend time with him.
What would a friendship be like if you never invested your time in it? Friendships need attention. You will never know God intimately if you only go to church services.
You’ve got to read God’s Word and ask him, “God, is there anything you want to say to me?” You don’t have to use any fancy phrases or words. Just talk to him authentically. And then listen!
The Message paraphrase says it like this: “When you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production. . . . Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace” (Matthew 6:5-6).
Slow down today, focus on God, and listen as he speaks to you about his grace.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer known for founding Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He has written several best-selling books, including The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold over 35 million copies in 200 languages. Time magazine named Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since stepping down from the lead pastor role at Saddleback in 2022, Warren has continued to inspire people through his Daily Hope Devotional and podcast Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope. His first book in a decade, Created to Dream, was released in April 2023.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
