Know God

Let’s turn to 2 Timothy 1:11, which says: For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Paul writes these words while in prison, near the end of his life; not only has he his own suffering, but he has also heard that there were persecutions among the believers and some of them were turning away from the Lord. Amidst despair and difficult times, Paul has this confession “I know whom I have believed…”

Do you KNOW whom you have believed? In times of difficulties, it is essential to KNOW God and be fully convinced of what He is able to do. In Daniel 11:32, the Angel says to Daniel: …but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. Yes! If you know your God, you will display strength. Otherwise, in times of crisis, there will be panic, in times of persecution there will be fear, in times of difficulties there will be confusion. And it is our privilege that we – ALL of us, from the least to the greatest, can know our God. We can know Him whom we have believed; and we can display strength during difficult times because we know Him.

Philippians 4:12, 13 (Paul says): “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”

I know, therefore I can...this is my burden today-to share about the need to know God. So many people in the Bible confess, I know…, I know…, I know….And how great a privilege we have in our times to know God-a God who is near; and who is with us and will be in us. Would you fix your eyes on Him to KNOW who God is?

Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I do not change…”

Alpha and Omega, Beginning and the End and no change in-between! That is our God! The world changes, circumstances change, people change…some that were friendly earlier, may not be now… But it gives us a great assurance that in the midst of changing world, we can know and put our trust in One who does not change.

When Samuel confronts Saul on his transgression, this is what he says: “..the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.” (1 Samuel 15:29). God is not a man that He should change His mind. He will not call back His words (Isaiah 31:2). We look up to a God who keeps His word. We serve a God who keeps His promises.

For example, God promised Abraham, that his descendants will be a special people, a prized possession…many generations later, the descendants of Abraham rejected Jesus, God’s own Son and crucified Him! But God has not retracted His words and promises to the children of Abraham…Romans 11:29 says, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable”. God’s mercies extend even now to the disobedient children…that the children of Israel may even now choose Christ and turn back to Him. God does not change His mind.

Look at James 1:17. It says, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. When we see the sun and its brightness, we find variation from morning to noon-time and noon-time to evening; but with the Father of lights, there is no variation. His mercies endure forever. He is always good and His gifts are always good and perfect.

Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He is always faithful. Whatever be the situation, we can ALWAYS bank on God’s faithfulness. In the Book of Weeping, amidst gloomy circumstances, Jeremiah writes this: This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:21-23). Every morning you can wake up to God’s new mercies! Everyday you can count on His faithfulness! Let me share with you how God’s faithfulness affects your personal life.

(i) Forgiveness: 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Because God is faithful, we can experience forgiveness. Because of what Jesus finished on the cross, His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness when we confess our sins. It does not matter how bad you see yourself; it does not matter how bad others see you; what REALLY matters is that God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. And we need not carry the guilt anymore-no more shame, and no more pain.

(ii) Fellowship with Christ: 1 Corinthians 1: 8, 9 “who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Because of God’s forgiveness, we can be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now God’s faithfulness extends even further…in calling us into the fellowship of Jesus Christ Himself. You can have an unshakeable hope now of what is certain in the future, because God is faithful…Hebrews 10:23 expound this: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Our fellowship with Jesus is one thing that can secure our future…a future of eternal bliss in His presence.

(iii) Guard against the evil one: 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”
Our Lord is our tower, dependable and strong. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler (Psalm 91:4). Therefore we need not fear. Though we walk through the valley of shadow of death, we will fear no evil. For the Lord is with us.

(iv) Grace for the test: 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

God has promised us His grace that will be sufficient for us. Therefore no trial or temptation will be beyond our capacity. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the fire scorch you. (Isaiah 43:2).

Deuteronomy 32:3, 4 says, “…Ascribe greatness to our God, He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.”

Our God is utterly faithful. He is a God of truth and justice. He is a God full of compassion and mercy. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. (Psalm 94:19). He is faithful to forgive our sins, faithful to guarantee a fellowship with Christ Jesus, faithful to guard us against the evil one and faithful to disallow temptation and trial beyond what we are able.

Our God is the Rock of ages. He is the Rock of our salvation. He is Rock on which we stand. When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter to me, a strong tower from the enemy (Psalm 61:2, 3).

Our God is unchanging. He does not take back of what He has said. He is not man that He should change His mind. He has promised I will never leave you nor will I forsake you.

What a wonderful God we serve! Gaze upon Him and know whom you have believed. Have you fed on His faithfulness today? Do you KNOW in whom you have believed? Have you tasted and seen that the Lord is good?

In closing, let us read from Psalm 37:3, 4, 5 “Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”

Lord we come-to commit our anxieties into Your hands; we cast our cares and burdens and we pray for Your rest. I pray for every brother and sister here who is struggling, Lord confirm Your word in their spirit, may them experience your rest-In Jesus name. Amen