KNOWING THE GOD OF POWER
"7 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!" Exodus 32:7-8.
The Lord delivered the children of Israel from slavery, oppression and bondage under Pharaoh in Egypt. He separated the waters of the Red sea for them to cross over. God was with them! He gave them manna from heaven every day. Yet, they created another god to worship. They knew about God's power but they didn’t know the God of power. The people saw His acts, deeds, miracles, sings and wonders. But, they didn't know His ways, character, and nature. Exodus 33:13. The children of Israel only saw what God did. But Moses knew His ways. "He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel." Psalm 103:7. Moses knew the ways of God because he had a personal, intimate relationship with Him. “And so the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.” Exodus 33:11. So if you want the power of God working in your life, you must know the miracle-working God. He's the source of power!
"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death," Philippians 3:10.
The word “know” is speaking of intimacy. It is to become acquainted with. To know is to understand, perceive, or have knowledge of. It is to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information. To know is to be familiar with. To understand or be familiar with God is the highest form of knowledge. To know God is to have a relationship with Him. It is to spend time with God. Relationship only develops as you spend quality time with Him. Knowing God is acknowledging Him. It is not a religious exercise but a personal commitment. When Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians church, he had been walking with God for many years. He had preached Christ to others. Yet, he was not content. His heart's cry was to know God more intimately and personally. Is that your prayer? When we spend time knowing Him, we grow deep roots that helps us to stand firm in times of trouble. We are strong because we understand who He is and what He can do.
"So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." Luke 5:16.
The key to Jesus’ ministerial success on earth was the intimacy He had with His Father. Frequently He withdrew from people, activities, and the demands of ministry, so as to be alone with His Father. Jesus talked with His Father. He listened to Him. He enjoyed an intimate relationship with God. "As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep." John 10:15. Jesus came so that we might understand His intimacy and closeness to the Father. He came to reveal and help us know Him. Everything He said and did, and, in fact, the entire Scriptures, leads us to God. Jesus didn’t come to the world just to heal, and teach, He came mainly to reveal who God is and how we can have a lifetime relationship with Him. Jesus is our perfect example! Every believer, pastor, teacher, evangelist, prophet, apostle, or leader, needs to learn from Jesus’ example of intimacy with God. We must seek Him, love Him, obey Him, and serve Him the way our Lord and Savior showed us. When we take time to be alone with God, we are transformed. When we spend time in His presence, we're empowered. Those who know God have peace of mind. They're able to stand up to every storm knowing He's in control and whatever He does is good. Psalm 91:14-16. The people who know their God have divine wisdom. They bear fruit and increase in every good work. Those who know their God are always rejoicing because they know when trial comes, it is going to lead to a testimony. James1:2-4. "Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall [a]corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits." Daniel 11:32. Do you desire to know God? Are you satisfied with merely knowing the power of God, or do you also want to know His ways? Do you really long to know God, and to have an intimate relationship with Him?
1. Repent and confess. Sin is a barrier between us and God. "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19. Accept God's forgiveness. Resolve to live a righteous life. Seek Him in humility.
2. Seek His face. Make it a priority. Do not be content seeking His power, blessings and glory; make it a lifetime pursuit.
3. Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. John 14:26. The Holy Spirit help us to experience God in an intimate, personal way. He comforts, helps, guides, reminds, teaches, counsels, and intercedes for us.
4. Set aside a consistent time every day to meet with God. It makes the relationship special. Spending time with a person, enjoying their company and getting to know them better is what makes the relationship worth it.
5. Meditate on the Word daily. To meditate on the Word is to think about, chew on, or to try and figure out what the different Bible verses mean and how they can apply to your daily life. The Word points us to Him. A man or woman who knows the Lord will be a doer of His Word. James 1:22-25. The Word is a light unto our path and lamp for our feet. When we spent time with God reading the Bible, our relationship deepens. Start each day in the Word. Joshua 1:8.
6. Pray always. Prayer is a two way communication. In prayer, we share our hearts with God and we also listen to Him. Be honest with God when you pray. Tell Him how hurt you are. Tell Him how you need to be comforted.
7. Praise and Worship. Begin your day in praise and worship. Psalm 100:4; Psalm 22:3. Give thanks always.
8. Have faith in God. Faith is unshaken trust. It's bold reliance and confident expectation in God and His Word.
9. Love one another. Look for ways to help. Minister to others. Matthew 22:36-40.
10. Don't forsake the assembly of the righteous.
11. Be persistent. Persistence means not giving up. Refuse to be distracted.
"When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Psalm 27:8.
To seek God's face is to seek His presence. It is to desire to know Him and draw closer in intimacy with Him. He does not want us to seek Him only when we're in trouble. God wants us to seek His face, and to know Him intimately. God does not want us to seek Him mainly because of some success we are looking for, or something else we need to get from Him. Start today! Begin your day with God. Talk to Him throughout. End your day with God before going to sleep.
So, once again, do you know God? Knowing God begins with having a personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. If you want to resume a broken relationship with God, say this prayer: O God, I come to You today. I know I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to save me and He resurrected on the third day. I repent of my sins and forsake them. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to Him today. I invite Jesus into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God. Amen.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. O Lord, I want to know You more.
2. Father, help me to know Your ways and to follow them in detail, in Jesus’ name
3. O Lord, draw me closer to You and to Your Presence today, in Jesus name.
4. Thank You, Lord for answering my prayers.
