Volume. XXIII, No. 29
Sunday, 11 January 2009
Most of us have a shallow understanding of who God is and what He is like. Few of us discover a profound appreciation for the great biblical truths of His character and His personality.
Proverbs 9:10 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” We can not begin to know God without the “fear of the Lord,” and we can not truly fear Him unless we understand who He is and what He is like.
Each book of the Bible reveals God’s character to us in a unique way. As we look at Genesis, the book of beginnings, it stands to reason that we will discover vital truths about God’s nature and character. It gives us glimpses of Him as first revealed in Genesis and the first impressions are often the most accurate. To know God through Isaiah’s prophetic book is to experience His joy in our successes, His heartbreak in our failures, His pleasure in our trust, His strength in our weakness. Knowing God through the book of Job is a test of our faith, our character, our values, and our love for God. It is a test that can make us bitter or better. It can make us bitter if we jump to the wrong conclusions about why God has allowed our pain. It can make us better if our eyes are opened to the wonder, power, wisdom, goodness, and love of God.
A writer once wrote, “What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we have in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? To know God. What is the best thing in life? To know God. What in man gives God most pleasure? Knowledge of Himself.”
It is one thing to know about God, but it is quite another to know him personally. The thought that God is present everywhere is amazing. But to be aware of His presence in times of need brings comfort and hope. The thought that God knows everything is mind-boggling. But to have the confidence that no detail of our lives escapes His attention is to enjoy a peace that endures through every trial. The thought that God is all-powerful makes us marvel at His greatness. But to have Him actually work-in, through, and for us encourages us to relax in His mighty arms. The thought that God never changes is a reassuring truth. But to commit ourselves to the care of this never-changing One is to know the stability of His faithfulness. The thought that God is love is wonderful to contemplate. But to know Him as a loving Redeemer through personal faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, brings the joy of sins forgiven.
How do we really get to know someone? Many years have passed since that wonderful day my wife and I were married, and I realised how little I knew her at that time. Only after living with her and growing together, through both the sweet and the not so sweet experiences of life, have I come to appreciate her for who and what she is. Now I have learned and come to know her better and love her more than ever before.
In a similar manner, it takes time to get to know God. We hear what the Bible says about God the Father, Jesus His Son, and the Holy Spirit. But to really get to know God, we must receive Jesus as our personal Saviour. Then we must learn all we can about Him through studying God’s Word and fellowshipping with Him each day. Getting acquainted with God means talking with our heavenly Father in prayer, trusting and obeying the Lord Jesus, and daily relying on the power and guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
It is important to stay spiritually fit by “walking with God” which the Bible describes as an intimate, growing relationship with God. To walk with God, we need to keep in step without running ahead or lagging behind. Along the way we talk with the Lord, listen to Him, and enjoy His presence.
Do you ever feel that some days your relationship with God is only side by side rather than face to face, and important but not intimate? You talk to God a little bit, read His Word in the Bible, but do not sense a passionate connection with Him. If you do, open your heart to God and follow James 4:8 to “Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you…”
How well do you know the God in the Bible? It is an important question, because the better we know God, the better we will know ourselves. We will also experience great joy and growth spiritually.
Do you know God better than you did a year ago? If you are a believer in Christ, your answer should be YES. The way to know God better is through His Word. As we read and study the Bible with a desire to obey Him, we will grow.
If you do not know God, the first step is to establish a right relationship with Him. You do that by turning in faith to Jesus Christ as your Saviour.
Receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour today. If you do, you will have taken the first and most important step to know God..
“..Let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord..” said the Lord in Jeremiah 9:24.
More Lively Hope
