Knowing God

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father...” John 14:9

Trouble and difficulty are catalysts that force you to seek God. When troublesome words such as, “I want out of this marriage,” or “I am sorry to tell you this, but the laboratory report says that your problem will require surgery” cause your home and dreams to collapse, you need God.

Whether God allows the circumstances to drive you to Himself or simply uses them isn’t important. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. He’s there to meet you in the dark night of your soul.

When Job’s world fell apart piece by piece, his friends came to console him. One of them advised, “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you” (Job 22:21).

In other words, he says, “Job, get to know God and your troubles will be over. You will then have peace.” But Job did know God, far better than those who wanted to explain why his world had fallen apart.

God is there in the dark night, but He is also there when the sun rises the next morning. Knowing God, however, is the most important thing you can ever experience.

Is your relationship with Him strong enough that when the clouds obscure the sun and your peace is threatened, your faith in Him will be an anchor, a strength that will hold you?

In times of trial, He is the only one really worth knowing, the only One who will walk with you through the valley of the shadow of death and take you up the other side.

He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness. He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant for ever – holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Psalm 111:6-10