When a child is born into a family, there is almost an instant bond of love. The parent and child spend LOTS of time together and truly begin to know each other. The parent knows the needs of the child, and the child knows the parent as the provider of comfort and security.
But as the child grows, other activities and friends can begin to limit time together. In the search for independence, there can often be rebellion toward parental instruction and counsel. In many families all around the world, the parent and child drift apart and no longer communicate as they once had – they sadly cease to know one another.
Ephesians 1:16-17
“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.”
Notice this is Paul’s continuous prayer, that we be given revelation and wisdom. Revelation is the unveiling of God’s truth, and wisdom is the application of His truth in our lives. Both of these are necessary and serve the single purpose of knowing Him better.
As we continue in our relationship with Jesus Christ, there is a tendency to hit those spiritual teenage years where we have things pretty well figured out – or so we think. We begin to gain “self” confidence and trust in our own ability. We get more involved in activities (maybe even “good” activities) and with friends (maybe even “good” friends), but one day we wake and find we have drifted. We did not intentionally walk away, but there is a definite loss of passion; the relationship is strained and we no longer really know God.
As a loving father longs to hold his children, our Heavenly Father longs for us to draw near and know Him; “Let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me” (Jeremiah 9:24). The Bible always speaks about knowing someone as a very personal and loving relationship; “Adam knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain” (Genesis 4:1 KJV). Jesus even defined eternal life as a state of knowing; “Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Knowing God certainly means more than knowing things about God; knowing involves a passionate identification with Jesus as the one who was sent. Through Christ we are allowed to truly know God!
The road back to a restored relationship begins with spending time together. No matter how busy we get we must continue to humbly come into the presence of God, confess the sin which causes separation, fellowship with Him in prayer and the quiet study of His Word, and listen intently for His direction. Let’s commit (or recommit) to loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and let’s be determined to take the necessary steps to draw near and know Him better.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
**** Reading Plan ****
Aug 9 Ezra 8:21-9:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 21:1-2
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