Knowing God

Knowing God

Psalm 23

From my childhood upbringing in the Baptist church I was taught to memorize Scripture verses. In retrospect it was a very good thing to do as it taught me about God. However, the more I grow and observe various churches and people, the more I’m convinced of a more effective way of teaching, though not to imply the “old” way is or was wrong.

            Today’s contemporary church typically begins new converts on a series, for example: of finding their spiritual gift, or recruiting them into service from the get-go, once again, not necessarily wrong. Many churches will instruct a new convert to begin reading the Bible with the gospel of John, certainly not a bad idea. But, what if instead of those “other methods” we taught people to know God? I mean really know Him, then proceed to teach the other methods. You see, the more I know Him the more I’m convinced others know about Him. They may quote numerous passages about Him and at the same time never really know Him. However, what happens if the new believer fails to read or even understand what they are reading and give up? Furthermore, with the onslaughts of life constantly bombarding the poor soul, what happens if they haven’t begun to know God? Even the most seasoned saint will, from time to time, be challenged in their faith beyond measure. It is essential to know God especially in those terrifying times.

            Consider: Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied I n thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I say unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

This passage seems to imply that although a person performs divine miracles, yet they are in deep trouble if they do not know Him.

            Or consider: John 14:8-9 “Philip saith unto Him, Lord shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”

In this passage Jesus makes it clear that one ought to know the Father, not by sight or memorization, but by spending precious time with Jesus. Remember, the disciples spent about 3 ½ years with Jesus. The point being, that instead of memorizing Scripture verses [not bad in and of itself] we need to spend time, in the Word, allowing the Word to saturate and penetrate our entire beings, heart, mind, and soul.
            Psalm 23 has been recommended as a starting point. It is recommended much as a doctor would prescribe a medication for a patient—take 1 pill orally 3 times a day for 10 days. If the patient were to take the medicine as prescribed, they should expect good results. If not they can expect adverse effects. The doctor’s goal is not to memorize the label on the bottle, but to experience positive changes in their health.                                                                Even so, if Psalm 23 were prescribed to be read 5 times per day, before breakfast, noon, 3pm, 8pm, and 5pm for 7 days, with the intent of knowing God and not memorizing the Psalm, then serious changes in their lives, both spiritual, mental, emotional and physical ought to be manifest.

Perhaps if more of God’s children really knew Him a lot of crime, divorce, and evil could be eliminated from the church, thus illuminating the light within and drawing the lost to Him instead of relying on new programs, new age music, flashing strobe lights and smoke.

Psalm 23:1-6  Please note that the shepherd does not own the sheep as the shepherd cares for the sheep of another. Jesus is the great shepherd, while his Father owns them. Psalm 23 is perhaps the most widely read, memorized and quoted, but how many know the shepherd?

1.    “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. [whose shepherd is he? Insert your name, make it personal]

2.    He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside still waters. [the shepherd always provides for the sheep with plenty. Sheep are afraid to drink from moving waters such as a river or stream, so the shepherd diverts water into a standing pool with rocks placed to form a dam.]

3.    He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. [Sheep occasionally stray and get lost or afraid, the shepherd comforts and restores the soul, sheep are led to greener pastures often through high rocky regions, they follow in line the shepherds steps. Sheep are led—cattle are driven]

4.    Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. [Life is full of dangerous valleys, for the sheep the shepherd often crosses high mountain passes to reach green pastures. He carries a rod (a club about 3 feet in length, to beat off predators) and a staff, (about 8 feet long with a crook on one end, used to hook a sheep fallen over a cliff, and lift it to safety.]

5.    Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [The shepherd uses a tool to root up noxious weeds and burn them so the sheep might graze with confidence. The shepherd also pours oil upon the head of a wounded sheep for healing of a wound.]

6.    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” [The shepherd provides goodness and is merciful, not brutal, to the sheep, for the life of the sheep, and the sheep is guaranteed a safe place with the shepherd forever.]

Faith Building Practice and Review

1.    The above is only a starter list of shepherd realities. Start your own research and add to these.

2.    Once again, do not do this exercise for memorization. The goal is to know God, the Shepherd.

3.    Turn to John 10:1-15 and repeat the exercise with the goal of knowing Him not memorization. Do your own research.

4.    Find other passages which relate to knowing God and repeat the exercise.

5.    Each time life throws you for a loop go back to your studies and review, reflect, and be restored.

6.    Restoration can only be accomplished through spending time with the Great Shepherd.

7.    Remember Mary and Martha. (Luke 10:38-42)

8.    Which one are you?

9.    Which one would you rather be?

10. What did Jesus say was the better to do?

11. What turbulences has life been bombarding you with of late?

12. Don’t you want to be restored, refreshed, and rejuvenated, or perhaps healed and forgiven? (James 5:14-16)

13. Even if you are a “seasoned” saint, we all need restoration and renewal with the Shepherd from time to time. Life has a way of taking the wind out of your sails, I don’t care who you are.