Know Him

“…know him…” 2 Peter 1:3

I’ve been on an intentional, concentrated journey to “know Him” through His Word, since January 1st of this year. There is such a vast difference between knowing about God and actually knowing God. One is head, the other is heart. Our lives change when the knowledge of God’s Word is received with understanding and personalized and applied.

I had a friend encourage me years ago to stop attending Christian conferences, stop reading Christian literature and start living. Although her directive may seem a bit harsh, I was well aware of the point she was trying to make. It is tragic, that as believers, we can sometimes have so much spiritual education with so little true understanding. So much learning and so little life.

There’s an old hymn that I just love. The chorus says, “Jesus I am resting in the joy of what Thou art, I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.”

Have you been finding out that greatness this year? Do you know Him better today, than yesterday? Not because you’ve read more, but because you’ve experienced more.

I want to share a poem with you today that I wrote back in February of 2005. I’m sure most of you reading this, whether you’ve received Jesus into your heart or not, are familiar with the childhood chorus, “Jesus Loves Me”. That song is profound. As children probably many of us learned that song quickly and sang it easily, but has the message truly penetrated your life? Do you really know Him and have you personally experienced His love for you?

Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so
How often I have sung those words
My mind believes, my hearts not heard

I long to feel His warm embrace
Or look into His precious face
To see His smile, sense His touch
And yet I feel I ask too much

So many times I've claimed this truth
For others, and I've seen it proved
But for myself I can't believe
And in my heart His love receive

For who am I to ask for this
Awaken with the Kings own kiss
A love that's found in fairytales
But on the cross became the nails

Oh, can't I see He died for me
For me He came to set me free
He calls me now to be His bride
Oh why still do I run and hide

Ashamed of how my life has been
The secrets only He has seen
The darkest places of my heart
He really wants to love that part?

My child, I love you as you are
You never can wander out so far
That My love does not woo you still
It is your heart I long to fill

With all of Me, My hopes and dreams
I have plans for you you've never seen
Stop trying now to understand
Just reach out and take My hand

With trembling soul I looked at Him
And suddenly all else grew dim
How could I doubt the love I saw
That beckoned me closer to draw

Oh Lord, I said, You've waited long
For me to know, accept this song
You love me, yes, You really do
And Father, Savior, I love You.

(Joy Brown, February 2005)

Praying you will truly "know Him" and His love for you today.