Knowing God
A devotional by Colleen C. Howard
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
—Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
The phrase “God is with us” is a familiar promise that is mentioned numerous times in God’s Word (The Holy Bible).
In Matthew 28:20 (ESV), God tells us, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” He is unchanging and faithful, His love is never-ending, and His promises are true. This indicates that we’re in a state of togetherness with the Lord. "Withness" is a gift from God to those who follow Him. He goes before us, walks with us, and prepares a place for us at His table.
But how do we participate in the withness? God asks us to be doers of the word by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ also known as “The Good News” according to the Bible. God instructs us to write His words on our hearts, pray with Him, and be witnesses for Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Savior. In 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV), God’s Word says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” The good news is that our God doesn’t ask anything of us without first equipping us for the job He calls us to do. God gave us hearts to encourage each other, share our victories and defeats, and comfort others in need. God has given us the Holy Spirit, who guides our steps along the path He prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10). He designed us to be with Him and to know Him.
But what does it mean to know God? Many say they “know” God, but in truth, they only know “about” Him. There is a difference between knowing “about” God and “knowing” God. In order to “know” God you need to experience His goodness (Psalm 34:8), the comfort of His words (Psalm 34:18), and the overwhelming peace you feel in His presence (Romans 15:13).
Let’s break it down—most of us know about honey, but here’s a difference between knowing honey and knowing about honey. Those who know about it can list the facts. It’s a sweet liquid produced by bees from the nectar of flowers. It’s often used in cooking as a spread or sweetener. Almost anyone can recite these well-known facts about honey.
However, to know honey, you must experience it. Have you drizzled honey over a warm slice of freshly baked bread and licked the sticky, sweet substance from your fingers? Have you tasted the goodness of honey cake or the tangy delight of soy-honey-ginger sauce lightly covering your perfectly grilled salmon?
Many people claim to know God, but some only know about Him. When you “know” God, you share your struggles, doubts, and hopes with Him. You trust Him. His presence, power, and promises are the foundation of your life. Knowing the heart of God changes everything because He is “with” you.
Experiencing God presence is life-changing. Perhaps you’ve seen His fingerprints on your life when walking through a wilderness season. He is with us always, and His presence sustains us. Psalm 63:3 (NLT) tells us, His “unfailing love is better than life itself.”
God knocks at the door of your heart. But He’s not just knocking at your door, He’s knocking down your fears, secrets, loneliness, anger, bitterness, trauma, and sorrows. God holds the planets in orbit. He knows the name of every star. And He offers you a love like no other. It’s an invitation to the most incredible adventure you’ll ever encounter—withness.
If you haven’t experienced God, invite Him into every corner of your heart. The more you see Him, the more you seek Him. The more you seek Him, the more you know Him. And the more you know Him, the more you love Him!
Let's Pray: Dear God, we want to know You and not just know about you. Help us to be aware of your presence and experience your goodness. Let us stand in awe of your greatness and recall your faithfulness to us. Praise be to God! In the Name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection #1: “Open the Eyes of My Heart” by Michael W. Smith. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #2: “Knowing You, Jesus” by Graham Kendrick. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #3: “Just to Know You” by Mark Schultz. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #4: “The More I Seek You” by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Colleen C. Howard is a Jesus follower, wife, mom, mimi, educator and author.
She lives with her husband in the beautiful Arizona desert where the sunsets are spectacular, the summers are hot, and the winters are a little slice of heaven. Her two adult children and their families live nearby. She considers it a joy to spend time with her family members!
She is a lifelong educator and co-founder of an educational professional development business. After spending her professional life in education, Colleen retired as the STEM Specialist for a large public school district. As she approached the end of that season, God placed a strong desire in Colleen’s heart to shine a light on God’s presence throughout ordinary days and encourage women in their faith-walk with Jesus Christ.
When asked what makes her faith walk real, Colleen replied, “It isn’t just one thing, but a million little things. Although some days bring trials and others bring joy, it’s never just another day.” She says when you give your heart to Jesus, each new day is another opportunity to walk hand-in-hand with Him and begin to know the heart of God. As you become more aware of His presence, stop, take a breath, and watch what God will do.
Colleen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.
She has been published online via these websites: Inkspirations, Her View From Home, and Inside Out Worldwide.
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Connect with Colleen:
Website: https://www.authorcolleenchoward.com/
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