And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. (Daniel 11:32)
It is the greatest privilege, the greatest honor, and the greatest of gifts. In all of creation, only man has been afforded the ability to do it. I’m talking about knowing God. When we enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, we begin a lifelong journey of knowing Him. But what does it mean to know God? What is the meaning of knowing? Knowing Him means:
Being strong
We need strength to live this life and knowing Him catapults us into the realm of his power. According to Daniel 11:32, ‘…the people who do know their God shall be strong…’ We are quick to say, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ (Phi.4:13). This is the Christian can do all, be all, accomplish all mantra. But this absolute truth must be tempered by several other great truths, namely ‘Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might’, (Eph.6:10), and ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord.’ (Zech.4:6) We ought to never get caught up in an ‘I can do it’, or ‘I got this’ mentality. God is the source of our strength and not we ourselves. Knowing God means allowing His strength to work on my behalf because, ‘…power belongs to God.’ (Psa.62:11)
Doing exploits
What do we do with this God given power in the face of the corruption which surrouds us? Like our predecessors spoken of in these verses, we are not to sit idley by as the enemy seeks to corrupt, connive and deceive. These, among many, are the methods Satan uses in his attempt to advance His kingdom of darkness. Once again Daniel declares that, ‘…the people who do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.’ We know who we belong to, and we hear His voice alone. Here’s what our Lord says: ‘And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.’ (John 10:5) Jesus also said in John 10:27: ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: ‘ On the contrary, we are to take action, to respond — and do it decisively.
Doing exploits also indicates service. When we know Him, we don’t just want to do things because of Him, we want to do things for and on behalf of Him. We won’t take the time here to cite the many references which speak of the Old Testament priests who all ministered unto the Lord. In like manner, all of our service, our devoted actions we take are for the Lord. We read these words from Colossians 3:23-34: ‘And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. ‘ (Colossians 3:23-24)
Keeping His commandments
If this is not our response and earnest desire to knowing Him, it indicates a greater problem, which Jesus says in essence amounts to self-deception. Jesus said, ‘He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ‘ (1 John 2:4) He doesn’t say that they don’t know Him as they should, He says they are lying about knowing Him at all–they don’t know Him.
Abiding in Him
‘He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.’ (1 John 2:6) Knowing Him, which is commensurate with abiding in Him, causes us to walk, to live, and to behave, as He did and does. Knowing Him means that we ought to have an unquenchable desire to remain in Him. We don’t want to be out of His presence; we don’t want to stray, drift, or do anything that would attempt to bring these things about.
Loving the brethren
This often overlooked, and underestimated statement provides us with the practicality of knowing Him. It is the outward manifestation to others that we know Him. ‘By this shall all men know that ye are my sdisciples, if ye have love one to another.’ (John 13:35) It’s not about how much you go to church, or any of the other ‘mechanics’ (and I do use that word softly), associated with being there; i.e., the singing, the dancing, the shouting, etc. All these things do not define one as knowing Him; but loving the brethren does. ‘But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.’ (1 John 2:5)
Receiving His Spirit
So what is the source of all these things? It is because we have received His Spirit, meaning we have become indwelt by Him: ‘Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.’ (1 John 4:13)
Summing it all up, the only reason we can know God at all and live out a relationship with Him, is because of the Cross. Every blessing we enjoy, i.e., justification, sanctification, grace, mercy, and so very much more, flow from this fact.
Thank you for loving and setting me free,
Thank you for giving your life just for me
How I thank you!
Jesus I thank you!
Gratefully thank you!
Thank you!
(lyrics by Dennis Jernigan)
That’s the Word! Take it with you. God bless you.