Many of us have heard of the LORD but only a few know him personally. Hearing of God differs from knowing God. What we hear or read may be a distorted version of the truth so we need to find out the truth so we do not react wrongfully. The surest way is to seek answers from God through personal relationships in prayer, devotion and searching the scripture. Unverified information may be harmful.
In death, it would be too late to deny true knowledge of God with an excuse. Luke 16: 31 says if they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead. We have sufficient information upon which we can make personal decisions with help from the Holy Spirit in prayer. Philippians 2:12 says work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Knowing God is an individual affair. Three stalwarts Paul, Moses and Samuel asked a similar question, who are you Lord?
The Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul, then called Saul, was a religious scholar who studied at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 5:38-39). He was a religious teacher and authority so Saul knew much about scripture yet that knowledge did not change him towards Jesus Christ or his church. Similarly, the religious leaders comprising the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes knew scripture yet they vehemently opposed Jesus Christ.
Saul’s study of scripture without the Holy Spirit led him toward Damascus to persecute Jesus’ followers. When a bright light overshadowed him and a voice said in Acts 9: 4-5 Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Saul asked who are you Lord. And he (the voice) said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Saul’s question was a personal quest to confirm Jesus’ identity and Jesus’ response demystified all distorted stories about him and his church. True and lasting relationships are built on personal knowledge.
Satisfied by the personal knowledge of Jesus’ divinity, Saul became Apostle Paul and valiantly defended the faith with his life. John 8: 32 says ye shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. We perish because we do not know the truth of God. Hosea 4: 6 says my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Saul changed to Paul when he knew Christ Jesus personally. Do we know God personally?
The Prophet Moses
Moses, whilst he was a shepherd, encountered God in the burning bush. When God sent him to Pharaoh to seek the release of his people, Moses asked God, if they ask me what is your name what shall I say to them? God replied in Exodus 3:14 saying, I AM WHO I AM. Moses in spite of what he had heard of God wanted to have personal knowledge of God before Pharaoh and the Jews.
Moses’ background as a Jew did not suggest he did not know the God of his people. Also as a royal in the house of Pharaoh, he by his exposure about the culture, traditions and religious beliefs of the Jewish slaves knew about the God of the Jews. In spite of these exposures, Moses personally confirmed from God his taught knowledge about his divine sovereignty and thereby became God’s friend. The Ethiopian eunuch did the same in Acts 8: 27-36 and so did the two men of Emmaus in Luke 24: 13-32.
We iterate that personal knowledge of God builds personal relationships with him. What we hear is not all we need to know about God. Moses’ personal question to God enabled him to be an effective ambassador of God before both Pharaoh and the Jews who though worshipped God, had no personal knowledge of or relationship with him. Jeremiah 29: 13 says you will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart. Moses was unwavering because he had personally known who God was. Do we find personal knowledge of God as a necessity of life?
The Prophet Samuel
Samuel, who was not a member of the priestly family, was dedicated to God by his mother Hannah as a pledge to when she was barren. Samuel was therefore a servant to Eli the priest. His sleeping place was within the temple where the ark of God was (1 Samuel 3: 3). For his first and second calls, Samuel did not know God’s voice so he enquired from the priest Eli. On his third call he responded as Eli had taught him to say in 1 Samuel 3: 9-10, speak LORD, for thy servant hears.
Samuel’s response to God’s calling showed he wanted to hear God personally that night and by that resolve Samuel to become God’s revered messenger and prophet notwithstanding his origin. Samuel was ready when God called him. Samuel slept in the temple yet had no personal knowledge of God’s voice and working. Our backgrounds cannot make us God’s own but our resolve to have a relationship with God would. What efforts are we making to know God personally?
Jesus said in Luke 3: 8… do not begin to say to yourselves, we have Abraham as our father; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. God will work with anybody who avails himself to him. Peter said in Acts 10: 34-35 truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Our pretense not to know God will destroy us in eternity. In prayer we may also ask him, who are you LORD? It is another way of saying Lord show yourself to me to know you more or anew. He is waiting for our call.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, though we have heard of you, we do not have the desired personal relationship with you. We have neglected to do what we are required to do and we stand losing our eternity with you. Please hear our cry to know you more and to have a closer walk with you. Grant us your grace to hear you when you speak so we may be humbled to obey. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
