Knowing God vs Knowing What He Does
This morning I made my way to Denver for some meetings. These meetings were related to some work that I will be involved with in Larimer County related to the energy industry. This seems to be a good fit and I look forward to this new challenge and venture. I also had an opportunity to visit my mother and some friends in Lakewood that I always enjoy seeing.
This morning I actually woke up feeling rested, which I haven’t felt in several days. That was a nice change especially since I was feeling poorly last night.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “He showed his ways to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.” Psalm 103:7
As you move through Psalm 103 and see the reasons the Lord is to be praised; from His faithfulness to His character, to the miracles He has performed. So it is easy to gloss over the simple words of verse seven.
The Lord was known in a different dimension to Moses than to the people of Israel as a whole. The Children of Israel saw the plagues visited on Egypt. They saw the Read Sea part and the Cloud and ate of the manna and saw the glory of the Lord on top of Mount Sinai. They knew God through His actions, deeds and miracles. But did they really, “know” God? They sought God’s deliverance and miracles but were satisfied with that.
The psalm says that, “He showed His ways to Moses…” or “He revealed His plans to Moses…” (GW) or “He showed Moses how He went about His work…” (The Message) These translations and paraphrases communicate that the relationship between Moses and the Lord was unique and special.
Exodus 33:11 says, “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” We see that Moses spent time with the Lord, He listen to the Lord, receive strength and guidance from the Lord. As Moses was preparing to lead God’s people to the promised land his request was, “show me your glory…” (Ex. 33:18) It was not a request for a miracle or more proof of God’s call, it was, “I want to see you for who you are in your essence.”
Jesus told those who only sought miracles, “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign…” (Matt. 16:4) But to the sincere of heart He said, “Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest.” (Matt. 11:29 GNT)
Are you one who seeks to “know the Lord” or to only “know what He does”? Do you only seek His hand or do you seek His heart? I’m thankful we can believe the Lord for great miracles and answers to prayer. But it is the relationship that we have with the Lord through Christ’s forgiveness and the presence of the Holy Spirit that sets us apart.