Devotionals for the Heart: Why it is important to get to know God

Getting to Know Him
A devotional by Nanci Rubin

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”– John 15:15 (KJV)

What do we want in life? Happiness? Health? Security? Marriage?

Most of us would probably choose one or more of these things. And interesting enough, we can enjoy them all when we have relationship with our Savior. But without knowing Him, our glass is only half full. If our spiritual health is not well, we will have deficiencies in other areas of our lives. These deficiencies can yield the following symptoms, impatience, anger, frustration and periods of depression, which we don’t understand and seldom equate to our relationship with God. However, the Bible tells us not to worry and to seek Him first.

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
– Matthew 6:31-33 (KJV)

“But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”– Matthew 6:33 (AMP)

The Amplified (AMP) version of the Bible makes it so personal. It puts everything in proper perspective. The Bible makes it very clear that when we make God a priority, He will give us the desires of our hearts. God has no trouble with us having things, as long as things don’t have us.

Our passion should be to know God. There is value in knowing Him. We can do nothing without Him. Peace comes in His presence. When we are in crisis, and feel all is lost, that is not the time to distance ourselves from God. We need to seek Him. If we continue to distance ourselves from God, we will eventually allow other gods to eat up our time, our thoughts, and our desire for the things of God. Other gods can be anything that takes away your time for prayer and fellowship with our Creator.

“I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing.” – John 15:5 (KJV)

“I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much fruit (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me (cut off from vital union with Me) you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 (AMP)

If you want a closer relationship with God, you are going to have to do a few things to develop and cultivate that relationship. Think about your personal friends. They wouldn’t be your friends for very long if you didn’t take time to talk with them, visit or show concern about events that occur in their lives. Why do we think we can be close to God when we give Him no time at all, or when we do it is a passing “hello,” or only when we are in need?

There are three things we can do to help develop our relationship with our Father:

#1: Create Space for God

This is hard for a lot of people. They have never learned the art of being still and quiet. Our environment is so infused with outside stimuli that most of us can’t hear the person beside us much less the still small voice of God. God is always talking, but unfortunately most of us are too.

“Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left [the house], and went out to a secluded place, and was praying there.” – Mark 1:35 (AMP)

#2: Create a Place

We need a place set aside and uninterrupted to fellowship with God. We may not have an Upper Room but we should be able to find a place. It is our “prayer closet,” our place set apart. It can be a section of a room, a closet, a chair, and an X on the floor, but it’s your designated area to meet with God.

“But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.” 

– Matthew 6:6 (AMP) 

#3: Seek the Face of God (Worship)

Worship and reverence will bring intimacy. Taking time to thank him for all He’s done in your life, instead of asking Him for more. We need to make special time to celebrate Who He is.

“You [Samaritans] do not know what you worship; we [Jews] do know what we worship, for salvation is from the Jews. But a time is coming and is already here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [from the heart, the inner self] and in truth; for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers. God is spirit [the Source of life, yet invisible to mankind], and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 

– John 4:22-24 (AMP)

Get to know the Creator (God) and see things around you change.

God bless you as you seek Him!

~*~

Author Bio:

Nanci is a poet and short story writer published in Cypress News, Family Times E-Zine, Free Verse and the Commonwealth of Poetry. 

She belongs to RWA, ACFW, and Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild where she’s enrolled in his novel writing program.

Nanci lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and cats, Romeo and Juliette, along with their newest member of the family, Roni who is a seven-month-old Goldendoodle.

Recently, Nanci completed her debut novel, A Betrayal in Cross Keys. It is an Amish romance that she has placed in her agent's capable hands. The rest is up to God.