DON'T JUST BELIEVE IN GOD, KNOW HE IS!

The Bible teaches us about the various actions and attributes of our Heavenly Father. Scripture after scripture tells of His grace, His mercy, His love and ultimately His sacrifice. But it is up to us to believe. Yes it is a choice; and many of us pick and choose which parts to believe based on our unwillingness to let go of our fleshly desires and shortcomings. We cannot fathom a God bigger than our belief.

Take the Israelites for example.  God lead them out of Egypt to the promised land of Canaan; all the while performing miraculous signs among them. The people believed for awhile and then they would begin to grumble and complain as they continued on their journey. Despite all that God had shown them, even His glory, the people rebelled against Him creating disbelief and discord (see Numbers 14:11).  It seems as long as God gave them what they wanted, they were willing to believe in Him. 

To believe means to accept something as true, genuine or real. But believing was not enough to get the Israelites to the Promised Land. Their belief waned through trials and circumstances. Perhaps had they known God more intimately, more of them could have received the blessing that was promised (see Numbers 14:23).  But to know something means to grasp in the mind with certainty and clarity; to know is to be able to distinguish, recognize or perceive as familiar. Knowing suggests a relationship.  

Take Jesus for example. His relationship with God was rock solid and that is what He held onto throughout His journey here on earth. Whatever trials He faced, He did so with the knowledge of what was to come, but also with the knowledge of the one who sent Him (see John 1:17-18).

That is where relationship comes in… As we read scripture, talk to God in prayer, and fellowship with others in Jesus’ name; our relationship with Him becomes more intimate. It is no longer about words on a page, the law, or rules and restrictions; it is about the knowing within our spirit that God is who the Bible says He is. God’s presence and authority is familiar and we can distinguish it from everything else that exists around us. When we are in a relationship with God, we know who He is and what He is capable of; and the God of our knowledge is beyond belief!

Scripture: He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV

Prayer: Father, thank you for your grace and mercy that is in Christ Jesus. Forgive us our sins and our disbelief. Fill us with your spirit that we may get personally acquainted with you and your word. Give us an understanding of your word so that it can abide in us when we are faced with the most treacherous of circumstances and when all is well. Help us to share the gospel with others so that they may know you as we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Read Numbers 14:1-23 and John 1:1-18 for more insight.