TOPIC: KNOWING AND SERVING GOD.
TEXT:1Chronicles28:9
"And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understanding all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast their off forever."
The solemn charge of David to Solomon in the passage under consideration has application for us today as it relates to our service to God. Knowing God is the first principle in our relationship with Him. We must be double sure that we truly know God before we can render any service to Him. We should confidently say with Christ "we know what we worship"(John 4:22)And when Paul was under intense persecution his only consolation was" for I know whom l have believed"Did you know the God you believe?.
It is not enough to know that God exists somewhere without a personal experiential encounter with Him.
Many think they know God but the knowledge they have come from a wrong source - False prophets and teachers. John the Beloved sounded alarmed as regards the arrival of false prophets into the world." many false prophets are gone out into the world" (John 4:1). Satan and his cohorts are on the rampage spreading the wrong concept of God everywhere especially in these last days. Beware!."They profess that they know God but in works deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and into every good work reprobate" (Titus 1:16)
Moreover, some people are of the view that the material blessings, riches, and wealth they possess are a confirmation that they know God. This is usually common among big preachers. But from the evidence of the Scripture, this is not always so
Jesus Christ said, "Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a man, life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses"( Luke 12: 15) He went further to give a parable concerning a rich fool who was not rich towards God. The fact that he was rich did not mean he knew God. Jeremiah also has this to say " Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understand and knoweth me..." Our knowing God is of great importance to Him. The Lord is displeased when people do not know Him. Hosea 6:6 "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." Every professing believer should be serious in the knowledge of God.
The Bible is the authentic source of information about God. He has revealed Himself in His word and hath in these last days through the Lord Jesus Christ "who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person" (Hebrew 1:3)
Therefore, knowing Jesus Christ is knowing God. God has sufficiently revealed Himself through the sending of His Son Jesus Christ. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared Him"(John 1:18) Make efforts to know Him through the Lord Jesus.
We can serve God aright only when we possess adequate knowledge of Him. The quest for more knowledge of God should be our daily desire as we study, meditate, and act on God's word. Have a deep hunger for God that you may know Him and the power of his resurrection.
After we have known God, it becomes easier to love Him with all our heart, soul, and might. Serving Him becomes a pleasure and great privilege. We can now serve Him with a loyal heart and wholehearted devotion.
Our serving God should be out of a pure motive and a willing heart. That is the only way for our services to be acceptable in the sight of God.
In our giving to God, it must be from a willing heart, not by compulsion.
" Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let he give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2Corinthians9:7)
Our service to God is under divine scrutiny for God searches the heart of all men. Our intentions, imaginations, and motivation are all known to God. Psalms 139 from verse one to twelve tell us that we have no hiding place from God."O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me"He knows all the details concerning our lives. Jesus was careful with the men of His days and "did not commit Himself unto them because He knew all men" (John 2:24)
He still is the duty of searching the heart of men even today. We must be extra careful about how will render service in the work of God. The Lord Jesus said in Revelation 2 verse 23B that"I am he which searches the reins and hearts: and I give unto every one of you according to your work"
As ministers of the gospel, God expects us to "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind" (1Peter 5:2). It is a divine privilege and our responsibility to know God and serve Him with sincerity and zeal.
As we seek to know God, He will reveal Himself unto us in a deeper experience. You shall be strong and do exploit in Jesus Name.
