And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Exodus 33:17 NIV
Have you ever spent time wondering if you are close to the Lord, if know Him as much as you should? Every Christian must ponder that at times.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23 NIV
These are words we never want to hear. We spend time in prayer, in fellowship, and in His word for this very reason.
“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” John 1:26-27 NIV
John said this to the leaders of the church, sent to query him about his own actions. But we often miss the most important thing he said to them, “Among you stands one you do not know.” How sad! They were so concerned about John’s actions, they didn’t recognize Christ while among them.
Jesus, on the other hand, always noticed people, and He made a point of letting them know.
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” John 1:47-48 NIV
God knows you and I too! How great it is to have a personal relationship with our Lord and to hear Him speak into our hearts, “I know you!”
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Psalms 139:1-3 NIV
We need be reminded at times, that this relationship is two way. He is our God, we know Him as He knows us!
That is true Joy!
Glorify him today, love one another.
Barnabas
Special thanks to Barnabas for this guest submission.