Welcome back to the Health for the Spirit, Soul, and Body blog! today we investigate the depths of our faith, exploring a fundamental truth: Knowing the word is knowing the Lord. In this exploration, we'll see how a deep, personal knowledge of God shapes our strength and capacity to achieve remarkable feats in His name.
They That Know Their God Shall Be Strong and Do Exploits
Do you truly know God? Knowing Him transcends mere intellectual understanding – it's about forging a deep, personal relationship that empowers us to do great things, or as scripture phrases it, to “do exploits”. The Bible is replete with heroes of faith, each demonstrating a profound knowledge of God, reflected in their words and actions.
Abraham’s Unwavering Faith
Abraham’s faith was put to the ultimate test when God asked him to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. This was no ordinary challenge; it was a request that seemed to contradict God’s earlier promise that through Isaac, Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars.
Yet, Abraham didn’t hesitate. He prepared to do as God commanded, not because he didn’t love his son, but because he knew his God. He understood that God’s plans were greater than his own, and he trusted God completely, even when the path ahead seemed unimaginable.
This is beautifully captured in Hebrews 11:17-19 (KJV): “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”
Abraham believed that even if he sacrificed Isaac, God could bring him back to life. His faith wasn’t based on his circumstances, but on his knowledge of God’s character and His promises. This is the kind of faith that does exploits - a faith that knows God intimately and trusts Him implicitly.
David: A Man After God’s Own Heart
David, the shepherd boy who became king, knew his God intimately. This is evident in his confrontation with Goliath. Despite Goliath’s intimidating size and strength, David declared, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45, ESV). His confidence didn’t lie in his own abilities, but in his knowledge of God’s power and faithfulness.
David’s relationship with God also shines through in the Psalms he wrote. They are filled with expressions of trust, worship, and a deep understanding of God’s character. For example, in Psalm 23, David writes, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want… Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:1,4, ESV).
Like Abraham, David lived under the old covenant, yet his relationship with God reflected the intimacy available to us now under the new covenant. His life encourages us to know God deeply and personally, finding our strength in Him.
The Fiery Faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three young men, friends of Daniel, were Hebrew captives in Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar. When the king built a golden statue and commanded everyone to worship it, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused. They knew their God and would not bow to any other.
Their refusal led to them being thrown into a fiery furnace, but their faith in God never wavered. As they told the king, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king” (Daniel 3:17, KJV).
Miraculously, they were unharmed by the fire, and Nebuchadnezzar saw a fourth figure with them in the flames. Their unwavering faith in the face of death led to a powerful testimony of God’s deliverance.
Their story encourages us to stand firm in our faith, knowing that our God is with us in every circumstance
Personal Reflections on Knowing the Lord
In my own life, I’ve discovered that the more I know the Lord, the more I trust Him, obey Him, and find solace in His word. This personal relationship with God has been a cornerstone of my faith, guiding me through life's challenges and joys.
How Can I Know Him?
Knowing Jesus is more than just acknowledging His existence; it’s about developing a personal relationship with Him. This relationship begins when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, recognizing that He died for our sins and rose again to give us eternal life.
Jesus is often referred to as the Word (John 1:1). This means that the Bible, which is God’s Word, is a revelation of who Jesus is. When we spend time reading and meditating on the Scriptures, we’re actually spending time with Jesus. His teachings, His actions, His love for humanity - they all come alive to us in the pages of the Bible.
But it doesn’t stop there. When His Word dwells in us richly - when we memorize it, meditate on it, and apply it to our lives - we’re allowing Jesus to dwell in us richly too. We begin to see the world through His eyes, love others with His love, and walk in His ways.
So, the more we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, the more we come to know Jesus. We learn of His character, His love, and His promises. And as we grow in our knowledge of Him, we find ourselves falling more in love with Him.
Conclusion
The journey of knowing Jesus is a lifetime adventure, filled with joy, discovery, and transformation. Dive into His Word, spend time in His presence, and watch your relationship with Him grow deeper and stronger. This is not a solitary journey; share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Let’s encourage and learn from each other as we deepen our knowledge and relationship with our Lord.
Until next time, may you find strength and joy in knowing the Lord. God bless you.
Please share your thoughts, experiences, or any reflections this post has stirred in you in the comments section below. Your insights are invaluable to our growing community.
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