God has repeatedly indicated that He desires to be near His own (Ex. 29:45; Lev. 26:12; Isa. 41:10, 13). In the exercise of such fellowship the people of God find their greatest peace and their highest joy (Isa. 12:3-6; Zeph. 3:14, 15; Zech. 2:10). Man is basically a spiritual being who was so created that his soul needs and craves the presence of God (Ps. 42:1, 2, 5; 63:1, 8). Man was brought into being for fellowship with God, and only in such fellowship will he reach his fullest development and discover his highest joy. Nothing else will suffice to quiet the inner cravings of his heart and satisfy the hunger of his soul.