Experiencing God vs. Merely Knowing About God

How is our relationship with God shaped by the great truth that He perceives our every thought and action? Is your knowledge of God merely a comprehension of His existence and attributes, or do you genuinely know Him?

Throughout my Christian journey, I have found myself pondering, “Do I really know God, or am I just familiar with the concept of God?” Through my life experiences, it’s become increasingly clear to me that the only way to really know someone is through personal connection and understanding, not just knowing basic facts about that person.

During my final semester of high school, I was at a pivotal point in my life. I had been chosen to participate in a transformative internship program designed to provide teenagers with vital skills for college and the workforce. I had no idea that this opportunity would signal the start of a significant chapter in my life.

I was overcome with a wave of anxiety on the day I was scheduled to go for my interview at the internship program  Recognizing my anxiety, my father asked my mother to accompany me to provide support  Upon entering the building, I was introduced to the leader of the program, an imposing figure who radiated confidence  Just one look at him was enough to make me lose my cool; I was rendered speechless as all my thoughts vanished  He was a very handsome young man who was devoted to his studies, and was on the cusp of graduating from Pre-Law.

While I was captivated by this young man, he saw a different picture  To him, I was just a young girl with no life experience who needed a parent’s help to handle the interview  Despite his doubts about my suitability for the internship, he was forced to hire me  To say that I gave him numerous reasons to change his mind would be an understatement  His patience was put to the test by my immaturity and the constant complaints from the staff of the museum where I interned.

Then something changed  One day, his boss, who was a wise mentor and friend, encouraged him to take the time to get to know me instead of dismissing me immediately  He suggested that perhaps I was sent into his life for a divine reason  Taking this advice to heart, the young man changed his approach  Instead of reprimanding me for every mistake I made, he started asking questions that invited conversation.

Through those brief yet meaningful conversations that summer of 1978, he started to discover the true me  As the weeks turned into months, we engaged in countless conversations  As our relationship developed, it blossomed into something more profound  Years later, that young man would become my husband and the loving father of our three beautiful daughters.

You might ask yourself, “How does this relate to knowing God?” The answer is very clear: we must actively pursue a personal relationship with Him if we are to truly understand who He is. We must make an effort to understand Him for His true nature instead of just accepting other people’s interpretations or opinions of Him.

We can all acknowledge the existence of God  His remarkable attributes are intricately woven into the very fabric of the world surrounding us  We witness His artistry in the warm, golden hues of a sunrise that gently awakens the day, and in the serene beauty of a sunset that signals the end of it  The vast expanse of the night sky, adorned with countless twinkling stars and distant planets, stands as a breathtaking testament to His boundless creativity and power  The soft, gentle breeze that brushes against our skin serves as a reminder of His unseen presence. We often overlook the precious gift of each new morning when we open our eyes to the fresh air He graciously provides.

But is this superficial awareness really enough  Obviously, the answer is no  God longs for us to develop a close relationship with Him  He wants us to explore the depths of who He is, seeking understanding and insights that go far beyond simple observation or intellectual acknowledgment  God invites us to set out on a journey of intimacy with Him, in order to experience the fullness of His love and grace.

Scripture is like a heartfelt love letter from our Heavenly Father, who meticulously reveals Himself to all of His children  If we truly want to know God, it is imperative that we spend time reading His Word  John 1:1 speaks of God’s love for humanity through Jesus, who became flesh for us  He is the Word that was spoken and became incarnate for our sake  Jesus is the Word of God.

Jesus, our Savior, experienced all that we face; He can understand our weaknesses and struggles  In an act of profound humility, He gave up the glory of Heaven, choosing to live a human life so that we could be saved  He willingly went to the cross, bearing a death that was not His, to atone for our sins and reconcile us with our Heavenly Father  On the third day, He triumphed over death, emerging from the grave with victory.

“Where, O death, is your victory  Where, O death, is your sting  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law  But thanks be to God  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

Dear friends, David wrote so beautifully in Psalm 139 about how God knows each one of us intimately  He intricately put us together in our mother’s womb, knows the number of hairs on our heads, and is never surprised by anything about us  He knows everything about us and wants us to know Him deeply too  When life throws us a curveball, we can take comfort in the fact that God is faithful, loves us, and will finish the work He started in us  But how can one place their trust in someone they do not know well  It is essential to develop a sincere and profound desire to know who God is.

We come across a rich tapestry of God’s nature in the Scriptures, which is expressed through numerous meaningful names and titles  He is eternal, an everlasting presence who exists beyond time itself  As Elohim, He is our Creator, the source of all that is seen and unseen  He refers to Himself as the great “I AM,” a declaration of His supreme authority and existence  El Roi is the God who sees us, and is always aware of our joys and struggles  Yahweh Nissi is the One who valiantly fights our battles, and grants us victory  Yahweh Rapha, our Healer, compassionately restores our brokenness, both physically and spiritually.

Each name represents a different aspect of His divine nature and shows the many ways He seeks to engage with us  El Shaddai, which means God Almighty, signifies His absolute power over creation and His ability to fulfill His promises and provide for all our needs  Yahweh Jireh signifies God as our provider, promising to meet us in our moments of want  We also know Him as Yahweh Adonai, our Lord and Master, reminding us of His sovereignty and guidance.

In Jesus, we see these attributes brought to life in human form  He exemplifies mercy, extending forgiveness with open arms  He is full of grace, radiating gentleness and kindness  In His faithfulness, joy, and goodness, we find a reflection of unparalleled patience and complete control over every situation  Jesus embodies trustworthiness, omniscience, omnipotence, sovereignty, and deep compassion  He is slow to anger, overflowing with love that knows no bounds.

I invite you, beloved, to embark on a journey of discovery with the God who loves each of us immeasurably, even in our sinfulness and brokenness  Surrender your heart, invite Him to dwell within you, and immerse yourself in His Word  As you read, ask Him to reveal His true self to you. I promise you, you will not be disappointed  Begin your journey by asking Him a question  Ask the Lord how you can apply what you have just read, then be silent as you wait to hear from Him  He will answer you if you are willing to wait  Then ask another question and another and before you know it you are having a conversation with Him. Is it easy? No. Your mind tends to wander about your day or what you will eat for lunch as you begin. It does take practice, but you will not be disappointed. The Lord, the God of Heaven and earth, is waiting to hear from His much-loved and favorite person—you.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light, Matthew 11:28-30

Prayer

Father, we thank You for the abundant love You continually shower us  Help us draw nearer to You, cultivating a profound desire to know You for who You truly are, rather than simply accepting the perceptions of others  We are grateful for Your grace and forgiveness, recognizing that while we were yet sinners, Lord Jesus, You chose to lay down Your life for us  May we wholeheartedly accept Your invitation to sit at Your table, seeking to understand the God who decided not to dwell in Heaven without us, the One who willingly left the ninety-nine to pursue the One lost soul  We love You dearly, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Reference

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV  Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.