KNOW YOUR GOD

“For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.” (Isaiah 43:3)

We need knowledge----which is applied wisdom-----to be able to understand life, otherwise we may follow where the wind blows. Knowledge is therefore an important tool in the hands of a Christian; for God in His word---the Bible---says; “My people perish [are destroyed] from lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) What we are ignorant of can kill or destroy us. On the other hand what we are knowledgeable of can save us.

When we are unaware of all the Almighty God has in store for us----the multiple favours and benefits He has bestowed on all His children everywhere, we embark on futile endeavours unworthy of our calling.

It started at the Garden of Eden where God the Creator made it clear to Adam and Eve that they were in charge. “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (Genesis 1:26) The key word here is ‘rule’----to dominate. They had all this power but did not know it.

They were like little Gods “made in the image and likeness of God,” yet they listened to the serpent who deceived them with “For God knows that when you eat of it [the fruit] your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5)

God is not our enemy but our protector. He told father Abraham in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your great reward.” (Genesis 15:1) Assuring him He would always be with him.

Father Abraham had just liberated his nephew, Lot, from the hands of the kings who had captured him when they attacked Sodom where Lot resided. Father Abraham retrieved both him and all his property.

To the Children of Israel when they came face to face with death-----the Red Sea before them, the Egyptian army chasing them from behind-----on their way to the Promised Land. God asked Moses as they panicked to tell them ‘to move on.’ “The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” (Exodus 14:14)

God has never lost a battle against His enemies. So when He fights, He fights on our behalf. We only need to hand over our battles to Him. The victory is for us believers, but the battle is His. In this way, He has made us conquerors. “... in all these things we are more that conquerors through Him who loved us” concludes the apostle Paul. 

Yahweh is a God that never fails. He keeps His word always and in all circumstances. He never lies. “God is not a man that He should lie; nor the son of man that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfil? (Numbers 23:19) We serve a trustworthy God who never fails. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23) “What I have said that will I bring about; What I have planned that will I do.” (Isaiah 46:11b)

God hates sin, for sin is disobedience. Yet He promises to forgive all those who repent of their sins, meaning those who do not go back on their sins; those who forsake it.

 He declares “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25)

It is not out of any goodness of our own that God is merciful to humanity. No, for we are unworthy of His love. Rather it is because it is His nature to love and forgive. Jeremiah revealed to us; “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) Indeed, God is just being Himself. “I am the Lord and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me... (Isaiah 45:5)

To have a God who is so caring, loving and has only good intentions on our behalf, we ought to be grateful. He says He has plans for us: “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Our God has got it all worked out. He is a God of order, not of confusion. Read this: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.” (Isaiah 46:10)

If a God like ours should put us at the centre of His thoughts and plans---making us His priority----why should we have to worry? He says to us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) Prayer is the domain where we can access God and get His attention for our requests to be granted.

Our God is omnipotent [All-powerful], Omniscient [All-knowing] and Ever-present {Present everywhere}. He has got it all covered for you and me. It is important for us to get to know Him and what He has lined up for us all the way to eternity. Know your God as He knows you!