The Benefits of Knowing God[1]
As we get to know God through our fellowship with and worship of Him, we
begin to realize several benefits. Granted, we should worship the Lord simply
because He demands, desires, and deserves it. However, there are some featured “perks”
to loving and knowing our heavenly Father. In the book, The God You Can Know (Moody Publishers, 2001), Dan DeHaan lists
several of these benefits[2]:
1) Character development-Colossians 3:2 counsels us, “Set
your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” We always become what we
worship. If we focus on the world or other individuals, we will become like
them. If we focus on God, we will become like Him.
Read Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB), “ But
we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are
being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the
Lord, the Spirit.”
2) Freedom from intimidation-Read
Colossians 2:6-10. Why do you think verse 7 is so important to keeping us from
falling into the trap described in verse 8? We should abound in our established
faith. We should be rooted and built up in Christ. And because we are complete
in Christ, His is the only standard we must compare ourselves to. After all, “If God is for us, who can be
against us?” (Romans 8:31).
3) Compassion-Rather than trying
to “work up” a burden for non-Christians, we quite naturally develop compassion
for them as get to know God and gain His heart. After all, who has a greater
desire to see this world come to a saving faith in Jesus than His Father?
“You are familiar with the generosity of our Master,
Jesus Christ. Rich as He was, He gave it all away for us-in one stroke He
became poor and we became rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9, The Message).
4) True Satisfaction in God-read
Philippians 4:10-13. True satisfaction
is apparently a rare commodity today, even among ministers. Why do we tend to
always want bigger and better budgets, choirs, solos, and so on? If our motive
is purely to build God’s kingdom, then striving for more can be a good thing.
However, too often we begin to depend on our successes or other people’s
opinions to fulfill us.
More and more we base our contentment on something other
than God. It is no wonder that some people become disillusioned with ministry and
fall into affairs or become obsessed with climbing the corporate ladder or
drift away from the church.
All of these things can be avoided if we come to the
right table to be filled. Jesus said, “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a
good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat”
(Matthew 5:6, The Message).
I’ve heard that we should never go grocery shopping when
we’re hungry because we’ll be tempted to make unhealthy choices. In the same
way, once we’ve feasted on the bread of God, nothing else is nearly as
tempting. (See John 6:33).
My Daily Praise
Consider one or two benefits we studied today. Write a
prayer of thanksgiving giving to God for giving you such blessings and for the opportunity
to know Him more.
[1]
This material comes from DeWayne Moore’s book, Pure Praise (Loveland, CO: Group Publishing, 2009), 52-53.
[2] Dan
DeHaan, The God You Can Know
(Chicago: Moody Press, 1982), 17.
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