The Transforming Power of Knowing God

God is revealed through creation: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and his divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20. 

We know God by his handwork in the heavens: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1. We need only to look to the stars to see they are not by accident. Plants, the weather, depths of the ocean, etc. didn’t just happen. One would have to be taught not to see that God is alive and actively involved in His world. 

The more we get to know God, the more we want to be like him. God gives us the desire to know him and his attributes: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Knowing God reveals the truth about who we really are. We discover He is perfect and we are imperfect. He is strong and we are weak. He is in control and our lives are often fractured with worry and fear: “Woe to me”! I cried, “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." Isaiah 6:5. When we see ourselves as we really are, the Lord lets us know that we can lean on Him and trust Him to make us like He is.  

Knowing God enables us to understand our world. We don’t have to panic every time we watch the news. He is in touch with our every need and in control of everything, no matter how large or small. Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom to find God:” When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!” Luke 15:17.

Knowing God makes us stronger and more secure. Even though we face troubles of every kind, we can be sure and confident that God is in control: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelations 5:12.

Knowing God introduces us to the world of His kingdom: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9. When we are born again, the new birth, God gives us insight to His ways. He introduces us to a whole new way of thinking and a new way of living. 

Through prayer and reading and study of the Word we gain a whole new eternal perspective. And that perspective lifts the mind and heart above the present irritations of daily life to be able to see a greater vision and purpose for living. When we know God, we discover that there is no better way to live and that living without him, we are not really living at all.