How did you
come to know those that are the closest to you? You probably spent a lot of
time with them over an extended period. We naturally come to know each other
through relationships (fellowship) with each other. In a relationship you usually
communicate often - you stay connected to that person. As a result, a bond and a
relationship is formed. You can say with an honest heart that you know that
person. The same way we get to know people, we can get to know God. Knowing God
derives from a relationship. You didn’t become acquainted with those closest to
you by weekly rituals and practices. Similarly, you don’t get to know God by weekly
rituals and practices. Christian spirituality is about your relationship with
God, not religion (Don’t use that as an excuse to skip church, ha-ha).
We get to
know the character of God as we invite Him into our everyday affairs. We also
get to know God by studying His Word because the Word is God (John1:1) and
studying the life of Jesus, who is the Word of God (Rev. 19:13), and was God is
the flesh. Getting to know God is a moment-by-moment, hour-by-hour, day-by-day
relationship and conversation with the Father.So many of us go to church but don’t have a solid relationship with God. He longs to fellowship with us. When we are in fellowship with God, we are less likely to give in to certain temptations and think erroneously about the different trials we face in life. When tribulation comes, instead of blaming God you will learn to thank God because you know that He is working all things out for your good (Romans 8:28). To know God is to understand His attributes and become acquainted with Him. How can we say we know God if we don’t understand who He is? Many times God will position us where He can reveal Himself to us. For instance, God allows you to lose your job. God can show Himself to you as your Provider in this circumstance. Sometimes, the uncomfortable circumstances that God allows are simply a means for you to get to know God. It’s a way for Him to make Himself known to you.
I’ve learned that prayer is vital in my journey of getting to know God. It’s in prayer that God will instruct, correct, comfort, and answer us. It’s important to your Christian walk that you have that one-on-one time with God. If you look at Moses, he often withdrew from the people to talk with God. The bible says that God spoke with Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend (Ex. 33:11). That’s my heart’s desire – to be that close to God. Psalm 103:7 says, “God made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” There was a difference between the type of relationship that Moses had with God compared to the children of Israel. They knew His works (God blessed me with a job, a car, a spouse, etc). However, Moses knew the ways of God. He understood God. He knew God personally. It’s one thing to know of a person, but it’s another to intimately know someone.
No
matter what challenges we face in life, we should be able to stand because of our knowing God. He is faithful, He is able, He is a deliverer, and He knows all
things. The enemy may try to discourage and sway you away from the will of God,
but because you know your God, you can withstand. Daniel 11:32 says, “And such
as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but
the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall
stand firm and do exploits [for God]."
Those who don’t know God or understand His
ways are likely to give up under pressure. However, those who know God will
withstand the pressure, receive the anointing, and do great things for God.
This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong
boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,
but let the one who boasts boast about this: That they have the understanding to know me, that
I am the Lord,
who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Get to know God.
Be Blessed.