Understand who God is, seek to Know Him more
One of the things I used to admire about mature Christians was how they would pray and quote the Bible in prayer. I always yearned to be able to pray and make reference to the Bible, and also just when having a conversation with someone to encourage them by making reference to the word of God. My mum really taught me how to do this – not by sitting me down and showing me how to, but through her discipline – and how I would find her reading the word of God so keenly that I was able to tell the sincerity in her heart. And so when she prayed and made reference to God’s word, I could tell she believed in what she was saying!
Last week I was praying and when in prayer I made reference to the word of God, and to His promises – and I remembered how that is something I always wanted to do. A friend of mine calls this ‘praying God’s word back to Him’. It is really powerful – just think about it even in our own conversations, when we say something and someone comes back and reminds us of what we said we end up doing something, acting in a certain way, simply because reference was made to our words. How much more God and His word?
In last week’s word I highlighted Matthew 16:15 when Jesus asked Peter “But what about you? Who do you say that I am?” This question was so heavy in my heart last night, when I was writing down this week’s word – and I thought about how important it is for us to read the word of God, to spend time with Him, so that we know Him. My prayer life changed when I started understanding God better, when I started knowing Him better – I don’t pray for the sake of praying, I pray because I know who I am praying to. To trust God you need to know Him, to serve Him – you need to know Him.
This week I want us to focus on who God is, to yearn to know who He is. For me this is maturity, this shows where our heart is, this proves that we want to have a personal relationship with Him – an intimate one, so when we pray His words back to Him it is not for reference sake, but with understanding, with sincerity, with knowledge, and because we believe it to be true!
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
I like Peter’s answer in Matthew 16:16, he said “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus continues to say that that was revealed to Peter by God. When I read that I also learnt that Peter was able to understand that revelation, to accept it, because He knew Jesus, He spent time with Him – so when who He was, was revealed to Peter, He believed it!
Two things that have helped me:
- Spending time with God – in prayer, listening to worship songs, reading the Bible, watching a sermon. This is so important, it is not always easy, but it is worth it. For any relationship to grow, the people involved need to spend time with each other. Spend time with God – I never knew how important this is, or ever understood why it was stressed so much, until I started doing it with a sincere heart! You know who God is by spending time with Him!
- Being intentional – this year I decided that no matter how busy life would get, my relationship with God is most important. My intentionality in seeking Him has made us close, and I am able to hear His voice clearer.
This week, seek to know God and I can assure you that you will love it, you will feel refreshed, you will get fresh perspective, and you will receive answers!
Be blessed and have a blessed week!
