I have heard about knowing God for who He is – and that is true and important so we understand His nature, His love, Holiness greatness and awesomeness.
What about knowing God for yourself? Knowing God with a particular emphasis on the way you have personally discovered Him, the way you understand Him and the way you relate with Him personally. I believe the more effective revelation that works in life is our revelation or an understanding of God in a personal context. In the context of our personal stories, encounters and experience with God. I think everyone needs to have a personal relationship with God unique to them apart from how everybody explains Him. I mean you need to know God for yourself. How do you communicate with God? How do you connect with His Spirit – the Holy Spirit? How do you perceive Him – since you can’t see Him physically?
I believe the great names that we make reference to in the Bible were known for their unique relationships with God.
From the beginning of time God had revealed Himself to mankind and expected them to respond in their own unique ways.
Adam as the first man was introduced to life and to God as a fully grown man. His first contact with anyone was with God. God showed him around and shared his mission and purpose on earth with him. He had the opportunity to name all the animals. God put him to sleep and used one of his body parts in creating the first woman. That was awesomely unique. He faced a major test of obedience which he failed.
Enoch was unique too and he walked with God until God took him.
Noah had a unique relationship with God being the only one in His generation that gained God’s approval.
Moses saw the burning bush, Moses went up on the mountain to be with God, God revealed himself to Moses in unique ways and Moses remained a meek man. Exodus 33:11 says ‘The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend’. He knew how to depend on God to fight for him. Moses wrote the Pentateuch – The first five books of the bible. He led the Israelites out of slavery.
Joshua was Moses’ assistant, he always accompanied Moses whenever Moses went to be with the Lord in the tent. Exodus 33:11 …’Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.’ Joshua was a man of war but he learnt to serve and study Moses. Moses had laid his hands on Joshua to take over the mantle of leadership from him once he departed. God spoke to him and encouraged him to be strong and be of good courage and promised him His support. Joshua had a unique mission as he was called to lead the Israelites into the promise land.
Hannah prayed to God from the depth of her heart asking for a son and made a vow to give him back to God, God heard her and answered her prayers and she was faithful to her promise (I Samuel 1).
Name them; Samuel, David, Solomon, Hosea, Mary, Jesus, Peter, Paul as well as countless others in the bible. They each knew God for themselves and had a story to tell.
What is your story? Who is God to you? How have you encountered Him? Do you spend time with Him? God relates with you on a one-on-one basis. He wants you to know Him as your father God. As big as He is, He wants to relate with you personally. It’s not good enough to know Him as your Pastor in church or anyone else describes God. It is important to discover him as He is for yourself. So be encouraged today and press in into God.
13You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you, declares the LORD,….(Jeremiah 29:13)
I like the way the Amplified version renders it;
13 Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
It speaks of conscious intention and intensity. Seeking to know God with a deep longing, requiring Him as a vital necessity, making your walk with God the first priority in your life. Walking with God must come first before any other thing in your life.
‘Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. ‘ (Psalm 37:4).
It is a new season and it is time for each person to seek Him and get to know Him as He wants to be known.
Shalom!
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Olaolu Oyeyemi