KNOWING GOD
“The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11:32b).
This declaration found in the Book of Daniel is nestled in proclamations concerning the end time complexion of the people of God – we’ll identify the Church (Born Again ones) as this group he’s talking about. Much has been declared over the centuries what the last days would look like (I believe we’re living in them now), but I don’t believe enough emphasis has been placed on the requirement needed for success through them! – KNOWING GOD!
Before we delve into what it is, let’s examine what it’s not. Somehow the things of God throughout the ages have found themselves boiled down to religion, or religious practices. The Ten Commandments have been reduced to fear-filled instructions that translate into: ‘you better not!’ while the character of God has clearly been depicted as merciful from Genesis to Revelation. So, this misrepresentation has distanced the people God so loves and left them trembling to the point of knowing they couldn’t possibly even think of coming near Him. Let me ask this question: how can anybody possibly get to know someone they won’t spend any time with?
My intent is to be brief and to the point, yet purposeful and inviting that the reader will consider developing a lifestyle resulting in knowing their God, and ultimately doing exploits with Him! Much of the New Testament was written to address the teachings that were circulating during the First Century called Gnosticism. This was an ideology that incorporated science into understanding the things of God. Gnostic means ‘to know’ which, unfortunately reduced relationship with God to a mental exercise. Something had to make sense in order to accept its validity. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church: “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal…For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2Cor. 4:18 and 5:7). “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb 11:6).
Jesus spoke a parable in Matthew 25 about ten virgins, five were wise and five were foolish. They all lived their daily lives, but the wise ones maintained their oil (oil is a type of the Holy Spirit), the foolish ones did not. ‘Life’ has a way of draining our ‘oil’ – the Strength of the Holy Spirit [living successfully, free of sin and worldliness drains our reservoir of oil and needs to be replenished]. The foolish ones allowed their oil to be depleted. [I’m trembling inside as I write these things.]
Allow me to do a Mike Leach rendering of this scenario. Perhaps the foolish individuals received an initial deposit of oil when they called on the name of the Lord to be saved, but did nothing with it – never developed a relationship with their Heavenly Father. Their salvation was nothing more than ‘fire-insurance’ hoping to keep them from going to hell. [I said ‘perhaps’ – I’m not speaking these things as hard-core Gospel. You have to decide between you and the Holy Spirit.] The other individuals fell in love with Jesus, got filled with His Spirit and maintained an intimate walk with Him – their ‘oil’ remained full. The Lord’s response to the foolish ones was “I do not know you” (v.12) – wow!
The ‘know’ here isn’t speaking of ‘awareness’ – of course God is aware of every human being that has ever existed, but He only has intimacy with those who choose it! These are the individuals who will work-together with God and carry out His will on the earth. I said in the first paragraph there are individuals who conclude “to the point of knowing they couldn’t possibly even think of coming near Him” on purpose. In the same chapter of Matthew Jesus spoke another parable regarding servants and the talents given them of their Master (verses 14-29). The “wicked and lazy servant” did nothing with what the Lord had given him to do, saying “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed, and I was afraid” (vv. 24b-25a). Did you notice he said “I knew you to be a hard man”? This servant didn’t know his master at all! He judged him, perhaps by what others may have said about him, and conducted his ‘business’ for him by that misjudgment. – Head knowledge!
Beloved, we are looking to have a heart-knowledge of our Loving, Precious Heavenly Father, looking forward to the time we are gathered around His Table celebrating all He has done for and through us! The number one way to know God in the manner we are talking about is through His Word – The Bible (being taught by the Holy Spirit Himself, Who is the Author if it!)! Paul wrote to both the Ephesian church and the Colossian church about being full of God in this manner:
- “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Eph 5:17-21).
- “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col 3:16).
Fill up on the Word, and speak it out of your mouth – daily! This will enable you to be strong – in God – and carry out great exploits!
Attend a great church that preaches the uncompromised Word of God! Hang out with people who love God and talk of His ways. Read other articles in this website. Watch the Victory Channel® (govictory.com) and other God-inspired teaching/preaching. The ‘world’ is pulling at us all the time trying to drain our ‘oil’ (the Strength of God). Proverbs 24:10 says: “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” It also says: “The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?” (Pro 18:14). The word ‘sickness’ there could also represent any trial. The Amplified Bible, Classic edition says “The strong spirit of a man” (woman too – mankind). The point is, in order for any of us to live a successful, victorious life this day and hour, we have to be full of God – we have to KNOW GOD!