Knowing God

Psalm 139:1 – O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. (NIV)

God knows us, but do we know Him?
God loves us.
God loves you.
God loves me.

We sang it when we were little children:

"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

I confess I often have a hard time really believing that God loves me, especially when I don't feel particularly loveable. When I don't do the things I want to do, or I do the things I don't want to do, it's hard to believe that God can really love me. I don't feel good enough to deserve God's love. But God sent His only Son into the world so that He could pay the penalty for our sins — for my sins, for your sins. Jesus was nailed to the cross so that our sins — mine and yours — could be forgiven. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) That's the love God has for us! We didn't earn it, and we never can earn it.

One day God will wipe away every tear and make everything new. We will be His people, and He will be our God and live amongst us. Until then, we can come to know God as:

• Father


• Saviour


• Creator


• Friend


• Teacher


• Helper


• Miracle Worker

The list is never-ending!

God wants us to come close to Him — to "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that [we] may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:18-19)

James 4:8 – Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (RSV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us, especially when we don't feel particularly loveable. We want to draw near to You and to know You. Help us to see You more clearly, love You more dearly and follow You more nearly all the days of our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.