Dear Writer,I hope you had a beautiful week and considered what promises God’s given you to steward! This week, we’re going one step further in learning to partner with God’s grace. That step is shifting focus from knowing God’s promises to knowing God Himself.
There is nothing more stabilizing to our writing journey than developing a strong grasp of who God is. Not just in our head, but deep in the core of our being. When we come to know God—not for who we think He is but for who He truly is—we become unshakeable.
But before we dive in, let’s take a look at some others whose reliance on God radically transformed their life and journey…
Knowing God in History
George Washington is an example of a man whose knowledge of God empowered him to do remarkable things. As general of the American armies during the Revolutionary war, Washington’s army was wildly outnumber and outclassed by the British army. Even so, Washington never wavered because of his deep conviction that the God of Liberty was fighting on his side. Washington often rallied his troops with the reminder of the moral justice of their cause.
This conviction helped Washington and his men endure excruciating difficulty and impossible odds to achieve, by God’s grace, a miraculous victory.
You see, writer, when we know and trust who God is, it gives us an unshakeable confidence in the face of life’s inevitable difficulties and obstacles. Better yet, a deep knowledge of God also keeps us humble in success.
Knowing God in the Bible
Nehemiah is another outstanding example of a man whose confidence in God fueled his life and work. As Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall, he faced pernicious political opposition. Nehemiah’s steadfast trust in God’s favor equipped him to avoid the snares of his enemies and provided the tenacity to find creative solutions to continue the work against all odds. God met Nehemiah’s unswerving conviction with supernatural empowerment, and the Nehemiah and the people finished the wall in a miraculous 52 days.
You see, writer. One critical aspect of knowing God is recognizing that He is for you as you pursue His plans for your life. It’s also recognizing that opposition is not disqualification but a natural part of advancing His Kingdom in a hostile world.
Knowing God in Life
I fully relied on God as I stepped into my first leadership role in my church community. As the leader, I was responsible for helping “recruit” new leadership for the coming year. However, I had been taught by the leader ahead of me, that it’s God who truly chooses leadership. As such, my leadership style involved simply praying for God to raise up the next year’s leaders.
In my second year, the church began implementing nominating committees as a “fail-safe” method for consistent leadership. I immediately resisted, deeply convicted that there was no way we could do a better job choosing leaders than God. The church graciously allowed me to continue with prayer alone for my final year of leadership. That year, God raised up the best set of leaders our community had ever had. And He did so four months early.
After I stepped down the committee model was adopted. But, my conviction that God raised up leaders, even when they chose what He didn’t prefer, still gave me the grace to remain a productive community member in spite of my initial disappointment. And, it helped me to keep learning until God drew me out of that community into a new one.
Knowing God in Your Life
You see, writer, knowing who God is and that He is sovereign over our lives brings incredible stability. It helps us recognize that—while not all things are His perfect will—He allows only what He knows He can work into amazing good, if we surrender it to Him. And here’s the wonderful thing…
When we begin to rely on Him this way, He begins to give timely wisdom to know when to simply submit to a process and when to stand strong against opposition. You see, when we begin to know and live from who God is, it creates space for God to do miraculous things. Let me prove it to you…
- Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. – Daniel 11:32
- “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. – John 14:12
- And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. – John 17:3
- So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32
You see, knowing God is directly related to His ability to work in and through our lives. Because here’s the thing: if we don’t know Him, we won’t trust Him. But here’s the other thing: knowing begins by study, but it is perfected through experience. As we begin to step out on the truth of who God is, He uses our imperfect obedience to refine and strengthen our understanding of Him. Because here’s the deal…
When Jesus says you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free, the word “know” is also the Greek word used for intimacy between husband and wife. That’s a knowledge that comes through relationship, experience, time, and learning. And when we begin to understand God, who is the truth, in that way, His life begins to invade our own. And our faith becomes an unstoppable force.
Where to Start with Knowing God
Now the wonderful thing is that God wants to be known by us. 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 gives a beautiful description of how God equips us to know Him better. And He promises in Jeremiah 29:13 that He will be found by us when we seek Him with all our heart.
So are you ready to get to know God a little better? If you are, here are some things to keep in mind….
- Study His Heart. A great place to start in knowing God is studying the Bible with an eye toward His attributes. In fact, I believe even Leviticus becomes interesting when you look at it with an eye to learn about God’s heart and what is important to Him. Ask God as you begin your daily Bible study to reveal His heart to you. Then take some time to chew on the passages and to write down the things you notice. When you start to recognize one attribute of God, it can be fun to see where else that attribute shows up in the scriptures!
- Practice His Presence. Another beautiful way to know Him is by engaging in ongoing conversation Him throughout the day. Practice gratitude and give thanks for the little and big blessings He sends. Ask for His help and wisdom when you encounter difficulties. Developing this habit of ongoing gratitude, praise, and prayer opens your eyes to God’s heart and to His involvement in our daily life.
- Obey His Instructions. One of the most powerful ways to know God is by simple obedience. Many of us know what the last personal direction He’s given us is. Whatever He’s last asked you to do, even if it’s difficult, do that thing. You see, God uses obedience as a primary tool to experience Him. Often our obedience requires us to understand and rely on Him in some area of life more fully than before. And if you notice in the Bible especially among the patriarchs, obedience usually precedes an encounter with God. Because here’s the deal…
God has so many things He wants to bless us with. But often, He must wait until we’re prepared to maintain those blessings. Obedience is the process God uses to build strength in us to carry the amazing gifts and calling He’s promised. Because here’s the deal…
Getting to know God is about learning to step out in faith of who He is, trusting His guidance and sovereignty over our unfolding journey. You see at heart, getting to know God is one part developing a deep conviction of God’s goodness and power and another part learning to recognize His voice and the unique way He speaks to us. As we develop this obedience and discernment, it allows Him lead us through the beautiful back-and-forth interaction He desires. And here’s the amazing thing…
As we grow in this understanding of Him and the depth of His love, we no longer fear our mistakes. We no longer hide behind our shortcomings. We begin to move in the full confidence of sons and daughters, who know they’ve been called for a purpose that cannot fail. Just as Washington persisted through defeat after defeat to see victory against all odds. Just as Nehemiah remained unfazed by opposition all around. Just as I was able to stand strong and then submit—and recognize the right time for each response.
So, I encourage you today, writer, if you’ve felt anxious or inadequate in your writing journey, instead of looking inward, look up! Take time to root yourself in the one who called you, knowing that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to see it through. And the best part? As we grow to know Him, His love that emboldens us will ignite others, too.
#KnowHim #trust #love #fearless #EveryWriterWriting
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