Knowing God
My husband preached on Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23 today, on praying for God’s family. He began by referring to verse 17 – we pray for the saints to “know God better.”
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. Ephesians 1:17
And without any coordination (except by the Holy Spirit), one of the worship songs was “I Want to Know You More” — an oldie, but a goodie.
The question remains – how can we know God better? I remember reading Knowing God, by J.I. Packer, as a new Christian. The book is dense and filled to the brim with truths about God’s character. Packer points to four characteristics about the people who know God.
They have great energy for God:
By deceitful means he will corrupt those who violate a covenant, but the people who acknowledge their God will stand strong and will act. Daniel 11:32 CEB
They have great thoughts of God:
“At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes to heaven. My reason returned to me, and I praised the Most High. I worshipped and glorified the one who lives forever because his rule is everlasting; his kingdom is for all time. All of earth’s inhabitants are nothing in comparison. The Most High does whatever he wants with heaven’s forces and with earth’s inhabitants. No one can contain his power or say to him, ‘What do you think you are doing?’” Daniel 4:34-35 CEB
They show great boldness for God:
Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than humans!” Acts 5:29
They have great contentment in God:
1If you are now ready to do so, bow down and worship the gold statue I’ve made when you hear the sound of horn, pipe, zither, lyre, harp, flute, and every kind of instrument. But if you won’t worship it, you will be thrown straight into the furnace of flaming fire. Then what god will rescue you from my power?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar: “We don’t need to answer your question. If our God—the one we serve—is able to rescue us from the furnace of flaming fire and from your power, Your Majesty, then let him rescue us. But if he doesn’t, know this for certain, Your Majesty: we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you’ve set up.” Daniel 3:15-18
It is only as we spend extended, contemplative, prayerful time in God’s Word and in His presence that we can get to “know” God better. My prayer for all of us is that we would desire to know God and we would separate ourselves from the world long enough to begin to approach that goal.
Great reminder to spend time in God’s Word so that we get to know Him better.
Thanks for your consistent encouragement, Iris.