Day 3 - How To Know God

The best way to know someone is to spend time with them, so this same principle applies to our relationship with God. Time is required for any relationship to grow. For us to grow closer to God, we must put the time in to be with Him and in the Bible.

Seek God in the Bible

We can’t manipulate God to be who we want Him to be. He has a personality and values.

How do we come to know God and His character? By the Bible.

The Bible (Old and New Testament) comprises God’s commandments and stories of history that show us who God is and His character. In the Old Testament, we see the incarnate Jesus throughout, as well as prophecies of the coming Messiah. In the New Testament, we see Jesus in the flesh, the revealed Messiah.

We have the Holy Spirit who now teaches us and helps us to know Jesus in the Bible.

John 14:26 (NKJV) says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

God is pursuing us daily, using anything He can to tug our hearts to seek after Him. We now have to respond to His call.

Imagine someone is pursuing a relationship with you. They are calling and texting you to set up an appointment to spend time with you. It’s up to you to answer their invitation.

Just like this analogy, Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts, waiting for us to open the door and dine with Him (Revelation 3:20).

We must make the decision every day to pursue God.

Jesus says He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Open up the Bible with the expectation to hear God and receive the encouragement (the daily bread) that you need.

What would it look like for you to diligently seek God daily? What activities need to be put aside for you to spend time with God? What do you need to do to prioritize spending time with God?

As you take time to seek God with faith, you will find Him.

Jesus reminds us in Luke 10 that Mary chose better than Martha. Martha was busy serving Jesus, but Mary knew this was the time to stop and be at the feet of Jesus to listen to Him (Luke 10:39). Jesus says in Luke 10:42 (NIV), “but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

May we not forsake the one thing that is necessary to a thriving relationship with God — to spend time with Jesus.

Read the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit

The Bible is no ordinary book — it is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God is Jesus Himself (John 1:14). As we read the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will encounter Jesus and receive a revelation of who He is.

Practice inviting the Holy Spirit to lead your alone times with Jesus. He knows what you need. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you and to make the Word alive and relevant to your life.

God’s desire is for us to be conformed into the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29). Allow the Holy Spirit to conform you into Christ through the Bible.

As we mentioned on day 1, a relationship with God requires us to encounter and interact with God. God wants to speak to us. We just need to be still and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as we read the Bible and pray.

Before you open up the Bible, make this your prayer:

“Jesus, give me today my daily bread. I need a revelation of You today. Holy Spirit, I ask that You guide me into all the truth. I know that You speak not on Your own, but only what You hear from Jesus. Tell me what is yet to come” (John 16:13).