“Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24
My place in ministry at Denton Bible Church affords me the privilege of being close to the lives of a lot of young people–my three children included. When I think about the many things, I desire that they desire that I desire, knowing God is one of them.
One of the challenges they face in a world of many voices is knowing what is essential for them to know. For example, if you follow creators on YouTube, you’re told to know “this” about “that.” Moreover, if you follow any influencer on Social Media, you will see that they are following all over themselves to be known.
It is into these myriad and competing voices that I want to say, “Know God!” J.I. Packer asserts that knowing God is the aim of all Christians. He asks, “What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the “eternal life” that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (Jn 17:3)” (Packer, 33).
Throughout the Scriptures, we see God is making Himself known in the unfolding of history. Perhaps the miracles and fantastic and supernatural ways God intervenes in our world stick out to you. Others may find God’s expression of His character as a means to know Him.
In reality, whether we realize it or not, God is constantly revealing Himself to us. And “Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord” (Packer, 34).
How Does Knowing God Make “Most” of Life’s Problems Fall Into Place?
- As we seek to know God, our perspectives are changed.
- Have you ever started on a road trip and changed mid-route once you realized there was a wreck ahead?
- Your new perspective gained from knowledge acquired by a GPS alerted you to the looming challenges ahead and caused you to redirect your path.
- One example from Scripture is the prophet, Jeremiah. Jeremiah was God’s Word to God’s ancient Israelite people provided by God as a means to shift their regard from disobedience to obedience to God’s Law.
- Notice what God says about Israel’s knowledge of Him in Jeremiah 9:6, “Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the Lord.”
- Through the prophet Jeremiah, God reveals that Israel’s deceit created obstinance in them that led to not knowing God.
- Therefore, they need a “new” perspective (or knowledge) of God that will enable them to “see” the looming judgment ahead and subsequently change course.
- God could not be for them a genie, but instead their supreme desire.
- Have you ever started on a road trip and changed mid-route once you realized there was a wreck ahead?
- Our priorities, decisions, and destinations are changed as our perspectives change.
- Priorities are rooted in values. So, if I don’t “see” the value in something, then I won’t prioritize that something.
- When we seek to know God, and He reveals Himself to us through His Word or creation (Ps. 19, Romans 1:20), our eyes and enlightened to God’s goodness and grace.
- As we see God’s goodness and grace, our focus shifts, causing our values to shift.
- As our values shift, we reorder our priorities accordingly, thus impacting our decisions and, ultimately, our destination.
- Priorities are rooted in values. So, if I don’t “see” the value in something, then I won’t prioritize that something.
As this next generation heads out and takes the baton of Christian discipleship, let us raise the banner of knowing God together. And, let that banner first be lifted out of our very own desire to know God. Then, let them see our hunger for Him, not for what He can do or how He can make me feel, but for Him. May they see in us what Oswald Chambers asserts, namely that “The essential thing is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ— “…that I may know Him…” (Philippians 3:10)” (Utmost, July 12).
Amen.
— July 14, 2022