Knowing God

Do you ever think about the absolute awesomeness of the Eternal Being Who created us? I’ve seen humans make things that are lovely, maybe intricate, detailed, intriguing. But it is one person making a few small things or, at best, many people working together to make something larger than they could create on their own. Never have we seen a human or group of humans create a universe!

Our thoughts ought to wonder what type of Being can create with such power. How does the wind blow? What makes the world turn with such regularity that the sun and moon shine in expected patterns? Why do specific birds sing the same song? Who is to be thanked for gravity that keeps us on this planet instead of flinging off into space?

Does this Being have a name? Is He mean or kind? Will He know who I am or am I just one of many creatures He leaves to wander this world? Does He care about my well-being or is He indifferent? Is He knowable? And if He is, does He care if I know Him?

Is God, the Creator, knowable and does He want to be known? That is the place where the other questions end. And Scripture is the best place to begin, the place to find the answer.

In Psalm 19:1, the Psalmist tells us, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”

In Romans 1:20, Paul says, “For since the creation of the world, His (God’s) invisible attributes – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made…”

God has imbedded information about Himself into His creation, and He WANTS us to see it. A puzzle where the answers are put in front of us to read. A mystery with clues that are clearly noted for each human detective to discover.

But is this “knowing about” God or “knowing” Him? Knowing about someone is never the same as truly knowing him. Maybe the Great One only wants to show off His greatness for us to see but doesn’t really care if we know Him personally, like we may know a best friend or a spouse or a sibling. What is the truth about this One who calls Himself the Great I AM? Is He a personal Creator, or One who has no real interest in having a relationship with me?

The apostle Peter admonished followers of Jesus in 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” They accepted Jesus Christ as the Creator. But does this verse mean we are to try to know about Him, or to KNOW Him?

Jeremiah 9:23-24 says, “This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.”

I love that verse. There is nothing worth more on this earth than understanding the LORD in all His Being, His kindness, justice, righteousness, and power! But even then the question remains; am I to “know” from afar that God is kind and just, or can I “know” this Being as an intimate friend and therefore “know” what He is like? Is that even an option?

Before Jesus gave His life for all of humanity, He prayed to the Father a powerful prayer. John 17:3 records the following:

“This is life eternal, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent.”

“Life forever” is having a personal, one-on-one relationship with the Great Creator of the universe. I matter enough to Him that He came in the flesh to pay for the rebellious heart within me, to cover my sin payment, so that He could have a relationship with me, so that I can know Him and enjoy Him…forever. That is NOT the work of a distant, uncaring Being. That is the work of a loving, gracious, merciful, powerful God who longs to be known and to have us with Him always. What a blessed truth! God the Almighty, who already knows me, wants me to know Him! Not to just know about Him, but to KNOW Him.

As exciting as it is to know that God can be known, our loving Heavenly Father shares one more amazing piece about His heart in Psalm 25:14. “The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant.” Secrets are special. They are shared between friends. Secrets aren’t shared with people we don’t trust or with acquaintances. Secrets are saved for those especially close to us, ones we love and enjoy. God says He wants to share His secrets with us. His wish is not only for us to know Him and to love Him, but He wants us to get so close to Him that He can share His secrets with us. Can you believe it?! The Eternal Almighty Being Who keeps the stars in space and my feet on the ground wants to tell me His secrets!

Our greatest joy on this earth is to know God and to enjoy Him forever. It starts with accepting that He is and that He has made a way for us to know Him through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot know Him on our own, but we can be willing and eager for Him to shower His grace and forgiveness on us, and He will bring us into a relationship with Him and let us know Him.

Sadly there are those who don’t want to know God. They don’t want to accept that He is and deserves our love and praise. But for those who are willing, God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, will walk with us day by day as our Savior, Lord, Brother, Father, Friend, Beloved. He will open our eyes and ears to see and hear just Who He is. And He will share His secrets with us, if we are willing.

Knowing God. Is it possible? Yes! And more than that, He wants to be known. He’s waiting to be known. He is eager to be known. If you want an amazing journey, tell God you want to know Him. And then watch Him work!

(Photos taken at Tribble Mill Park and Stone Mountain Park by Carolyn Thigpen. Scripture taken from New American Standard Version, King James’ Version, and New King James Version.)