Dear Ones:
Yesterday we began with the question, “Who is God?” There is in that question another one embedded: “Can we truly KNOW God?” Or, do we just know facts, and some truths about Him? I venture to say, from the testimony of those who have gone before, that our greatest quest is not to just know about God, but to experience Him, and in essence to truly KNOW Him.
Moses had quite a history with God, being saved as a child in Egypt, elevated to sonship to the Pharoah’s daughter, and then exiled. He had seen the burning bush, and responded to the call of God. He was instrumental in the salvation of Israel, by the parting of the Red Sea. And then, he had seen God’s direction and provision for Israel in the desert. But, then we discover a remarkable thing…Moses clearly declares what is most upon his heart, that which he desires more than all else in the world: “…show me NOW Thy way, that I may know Thee.” (Ex. 33:13) It is one thing to see the works of God. It is quite another to know Him personally and experimentally.
David would declare in Psalm 27:4: “…One thing I have desired of the Lord, and this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in His temple.” Why would He want this “one thing?” It is simply for the same reason that Moses carefully, and thoughtfully, uttered his prayer. It is one thing to know about God, another thing to KNOW Him experientially.
Though the calling of the Apostle Paul was wrought with responsibility of an eternal significance, yet his deep passion, and that which dominated all else was this, “…that I might KNOW Him, and the power of His resurrection…” (Phil. 3:10) The evidence is so clear as we look at these men, and at believers through the centuries, that our highest calling, and most noble and blessed quest, is to KNOW GOD
When I was in college in South Carolina, I went to a weekend conference at a Christian school up in the mountains. Over one of the buildings was written the whole purpose of the school: “To KNOW Him, and to make Him known.” What a tremendous declaration of a most blessed reality!!
And how shall we know Him? First of all, “…as we follow on to know the Lord.” It is essential that we not only know that this is our first and highest calling, but that it is to be embarked upon, embraced, pursued. Eternal Life is to “…KNOW Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” (Jn. 17:3)
If we ever need to be encouraged that this is possible, we need to remember, and heed the words of the Lord Jesus: “The Comforter…the Spirit of truth…ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you…I WILL COME TO YOU…ye shall KNOW that I am in my Father, and ye in Me, and I in you.” (John 14:16,17,18,20) This is true Christianity…Christ dwelling in the heart by faith. This is the true knowledge of God in Christ. What a wonderful and blessed objective and calling…that is ours TODAY. Let us pursue it.
Love, Dad