Knowing God

Knowing God

Let us occupy ourselves entirely in knowing God. The more we know Him, the more we will desire to know Him. . . . The more we know God, the more we will truly love Him. And we will learn to love Him equally in times of distress or in times of great joy.

Brother Lawrence

You are sometimes tempted to pick out a Scripture verse and claim it as your own because it seems to promise a happy ending. When you are in times of crisis, hardship, or distress, it’s comforting to say that everything works together for good for those who love Me (Romans 8:28), but you sometimes forget to consider the conditions. Read the verse that comes next: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29, NIV). Suffering was part of the process for the Lord Jesus Christ, and it will be part of life for those who love Me.

All of the hurtful things that are happening to you are reminders that there is evil in the world. But I will turn those things to good. What “good” is coming out of your struggle? You are becoming more like Jesus. Your love for Me is maturing, and you are experiencing the joy of knowing that My love for you is consistent on the good days and on the bad days. You are no longer expecting perfection and completion in this world—your eyes are fixed on heaven and the life that is to come. As you get to know My character, your love for Me is the same in times of pain or joy.

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:28