PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD -- Tomorrow:
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." (Colossians 1:9-11, KJV)
Devotion 23 of 32
" . . . and increasing in the knowledge of God . . . "
"The knowledge of God" is not knowledge about God, although the one possessing such knowledge will know much about the Lord. This is an acquaintance with God Himself – an acquaintance that is cultured within the framework of fellowship and faith. This is the language of relationship and familiarity – as when Adam "knew" Eve (Gen 4:1).
RECOGNIZING WHEN HE SPEAKS
When Samuel was young, God spoke to him, calling out his name: "Samuel." However, the young boy did not know it was the Lord. The Spirit's explanation for this lack of understanding is this: "Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord" (1 Sam 3:4,7). Eli, on the other hand, into whose care the child had been committed, was familiar with the Lord. As he thought upon Samuel's experience, "he perceived that the Lord had called the child" (1 Sam 3:8). After Samuel had received a word from the Lord and delivered it to Eli, the aged priest responded, "It is the Lord" (1 Sam 3:18). Knowing the Lord, therefore, involves being able to recognize when He is speaking (Heb 12:25).
A New Covenant example of this kind of recognition is found in the Thessalonian's response to the Gospel. "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe" (1 Thess 2:13).
KNOWING HIS WAYS
Prior to Christ, few people knew the ways of the Lord – the manner in which He conducted His kingdom. One of the few men who did know His ways was Moses. It is said of him, "He (God) made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel" (Psa 103:7). The Israelites only saw with their eyes what God did. Moses saw WHY He did it. His knowledge of the ways of the Lord is what enabled him to effectively intercede for Israel when God was about to destroy them (Num 14:13-20).
The knowledge of God is a particularly fertile area of human involvement. It is one of the primary pillars of the New Covenant. It is stated in the covenant itself, "they shall ALL know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest" (Jer 31:34; Heb 8:11).
This is not a static or unchanging knowledge. It is one that is characterized by growth, advancement, and increase. Divine fellowship is realized to the degree that we know the Lord, are familiar with His ways, and think His thoughts.
It must be remembered that eternal life IS knowing the Lord. As Jesus prayed, "As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:2-3). John referred to this relationship in the following words: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3).
INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IS NOT SIMPLISTIC
Increasing in the knowledge of God is not a simplistic matter. It requires more than taking a Bible course, or becoming more familiar with Scriptural texts that speak about God and Christ Themselves. There is difficulty associated with this kind of increase – the kind of difficulty that requires the involvement of God. That is why Paul is praying as he does. In order to increase in the knowledge of God, the following must take place.
1. God must fill us with the knowledge of His will.
2. That knowledge must result in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
3. Wisdom and spiritual understanding must result in a walk that is worthy of the Lord.
4. The walk that is worthy of the Lord must be pleasing to Him.
5. Fruitfulness in every good work will accompany an increase in the knowledge of God.
It is evident that such things cannot be achieved by natural means, or in the energy of the flesh. That is why Paul labored in prayer concerning the matter, and told the Colossians he was doing so.
It is time for the professing church to make their unwavering aim to enjoy such an increase. War must be made on the ignorance of God and His ways. A certain discontent with a failure to know what God is doing in Christ must be found among all professed believers. In the New Covenant, God IS known!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, show Me your ways.