Knowing God
Do you keep God at arm’s length? Is your relationship with God a long-distance one? Or do you have an intimate and close relationship with God?
Is knowing God really possible? Yes, because of Jesus it is. Because of Jesus we can be made right with God. But the adventure of faith does not end there, it’s just a beginning. The real adventure is in getting to know God.
Yada is a Hebrew word that means “to know” but it has several meanings depending on the context. Knowing God is much more than a long-distance relationship for sure.
The man Adam knew [yada]his wife Eve intimately. She became pregnant and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have given life to a man with the Lord’s help.” (Genesis 4;1, CEB,*)
Cain knew [yada] his wife intimately. She became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain built a city and named the city after his son Enoch. (Genesis 4:17, CEB,*)
Adam knew [yada] his wife intimately again, and she gave birth to a son. She named him Seth“because God has given me another child in place of Abel, whom Cain killed.” (Genesis 4:25, CEB,*)
One of the meanings of yada is sharing love and knowing someone intimately. But it’s not just a sexual relationship, you can’t experience yada without dedication and love. The same word yada is used also to describe the intimate relationship with God. Knowing God is as intimate and sacred as the bond between a husband and a wife. We can’t keep God or his people at arm’s length if we want to truly know him.
Are you a king
because you compete in cedar?
Did not your father [Josiah] eat and drink
and do justice and righteousness?
Then it was well with him.
16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy;
then it was well.
Is not this to know [yada] me?
says the Lord.
(Jeremiah 22:15-16, NRSV,*)
This is God’s way to tell the corrupted king what knowing God means. It means acting justly and showing mercy to others. It means living righteously. Micah 6:8 comes instantly into mind: He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (NRSV)
Knowing God requires that we are truly dedicated to him. That we seek his company. That we praise him, thank him. That we talk to him and listen to him. That we ask for his advice. That we lavish him with our love. That we strive to live in love and do as much good as possible. That we read his word and seek his wisdom. That we spend time with him. That we focus on him, not on ourselves. That we throw masks away and be who we really are. That we truly abide in him.
It does not happen over night, it is a life-long process. But this process is empowered by the grace of God. So we can rest assured there will be enough fuel for the whole journey. Isn’t it amazing that the Creator of the Universe wants to know us intimately. That God Almighty wants to be our everything. What do we do? Keep him at arms’ length or open our arms wide open? I recommend the latter.
Gracious God,
How wonderful you are!
How amazing your love is!
Be praised forever and ever!
Knowing you is what I want.
Experiencing yada with you is what I crave for.
Show me how to share love, show mercy and act justly.
I open my arms wide open for you.
Fill me with your Spirit, your wisdom, your love and grace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: What does knowing God mean to you?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you get to know God intimately?
Photo courtesy of Spencer Hirst, design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Unforced Rhythms, Playdates with God.
10 thoughts on “Knowing God”
I am so grateful our God invites us in, pulling us a little bit closer each time we come to Him. Beautiful & encouraging post!
Yes, me too. God is so good. Thanks for stopping by, friend. Have a blessed day!
it’s such a BeaUtiful thing! to know our GOD & what a privilege, much blessing in knowing Him more & more~praying a fresh desire planted in <3's, that He's Top priority in the lives He has saved from destruction….we truly r meant to be ALL He created us for & can be realized when we place Him 1st<333
help us Holy SPIRIT, we LOVE UUU! xoxCrystal
p.s. passed ur site onto my pastors wife yesterday @ CCGC~praying blessings!
Thanks so much, Crystal, for your kindness. I appreciate you so much. May God continue to bless your socks off!
Yada… YES… I long to know Him like that. Ever deeper. Blessings to you today!
Very delightful to hear! Thank you, Dana! May God bless you richly and guide you clearly!
I used to treat God like an urgent care clinic…turning to Him when I was at rock bottom and didn’t know what else to do. Now, I feel like I know Him. I talk to Him daily as if He was walking around with me wherever I go…and it is soo nice! My arms are open wide! 🙂
That’s wonderful! Thank you for sharing, Laura! There’s a huge difference between knowing God and keeping him as the last resort. May God continue to bless you and keep you in his sweet grace!
One of the best ways I’ve found to grow in knowing God is to spend time with others who know God well. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, yes. Very much so. Thanks for adding that into the conversation. So important and such an essential part of growing in faith. Be blessed!