There is a vast difference between knowing someone and knowing someone intimately. The difference lies in what we are willing to give of ourselves. Intimately knowing someone requires commitment...continued commitment.
Jesus said, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:24-2
Jesus Himself has committed that He will help us know Him more and more. That He would help us grow in knowledge of Him and love and that we would bear much fruit. Commitment is a two way street. We also need to make a commitment to pursue intimacy with Him.
"There is a need to be aware of what brings growth to a person's life. One of the most damaging wedges between two people is a sense of insecurity because of a lack of commitment toward each other. God wants you to be aware of His continued commitment to lift your life. He longs for the commitment of your heart to know Him with increasing depth. Three areas promote growth: Truth, mercy, and knowledge of God. Where these are lacking there exists a cold or lukewarm religious form." (Knowing God Intimately, Dennis Burke)
What are the benefits to knowing God intimately? God promises peace in mind and body "Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace..." in Job 22:21a (NKJV) and God promises that "what you decide on will be done..." Job 22:28a (NIV). Acquaint - grow your knowledge of God and trust in His promises.
In Jeremiah 17:7-8, there is a beautiful description of one who has learned to trust God: “But happy is he who relies on the Eternal, with the Eternal for his confidence! He is like a tree planted beside a stream, reaching its roots to the water; untouched by any fear of scorching heat, its leaves are ever green, it goes on bearing fruit in days of drought, & lives serene.”
Our knowledge of God and trust in Him is evidenced in how we live our lives. The deeper our knowledge of God, the deeper our faith. The more we understand God's faithfulness and sovereignty it becomes easier for us to trust in the Lord and follow His precepts. The more we follow His precepts, the more we see ourselves change and transform. The more other people see the fruit in our lives.
How do we grow our knowledge of God? For many, the vast majority of their time with God is in a public setting- either church, Bible study, or prayer meetings. Jesus said in Mathew 6:6, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
It is in quiet times in His presence worshiping, waiting, praising & listening that we enter the highest levels of prayer. When we have left business outside the door & simply opened ourselves to commune with our Father. Our time in our "inner room" is our investment to grow our roots deep into God, to grow our knowledge of Him. Deep roots make strong, healthy trees. Deep roots create stability & confidence in times when winds buffet us. There is tranquility & serenity deep within us because we have tapped into the true source of strength.
Sometimes it is a struggle to just even start spending time with God. And sometimes, even if you drag yourself to spend time with God, alone, your thoughts would be racing and flying in different directions. You must learn to control your mind's wanderings and not waste your precious time with Jesus. Pray to God to help you. Pray for God to help you hold true to your commitment. One thing I have realized, it's not about maintaining your commitment to spiritual disciplines of prayer, reading the Bible, fasting, meditation...it's maintaining your commitment that in every part of your life, every second, your focus is in your commitment to know Jesus intimately. This is the goal.
Dear friend, I leave you with this amazing and wonderful promise of God that when we devote ourselves to knowing Him intimately and commit in our heart to know Him with increasing depth, the returns are immeasurable...
Job 22:21-28
(NKJV)
21 “Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;
Thereby good will come to you.
22 Receive, please, instruction from His mouth,
And lay up His words in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up;
You will remove iniquity far from your tents.
24 Then you will lay your gold in the dust,
And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks.
25 Yes, the Almighty will be your gold
And your precious silver;
emphasis (NLT)
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored—
so clean up your life.
(NIV)
26 Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty
and will lift up your face to God.
27 You will pray to him, and he will hear you,
and you will fulfill your vows.
28 What you decide on will be done,
and light will shine on your ways.
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