Knowing the True God in Your Heart

I’d paid for my parking at the ticket machine in a multi-storey car park. On arriving at my car, I discovered that I’d forgotten to pick up the registered ticket. As I couldn’t get through the exit barrier without my registered ticket, I retraced my steps to the booth where I’d paid, but there was no sign of the ticket. As a small group of people who’d gathered around me were giving me different bits of wrong advice, a well-spoken young man, who knew exactly what to do, appeared at my side. He took over the situation, secured my exit then returned to his bedding opposite the ticket machine. I was moved by the kindness of a homeless stranger, and grateful to God for His provision.

The incident brought to mind today’s scripture which speaks of the One who watches over and protects His children and can be trusted in every circumstance of life. It’s so good to know that He works unexpected events for our good and also to bless others, so we need not fear. I wonder if most besetting fears are because deep down in our hearts we lack the deep assurance that the Lord will always keep His promises to watch over and provide for us.

When someone’s struggling with trusting God and finding peace, it’s usually because they have a distorted view of God and His ways. A.W. Tozer said that what comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. When the truth about God is deeply rooted in our heart we have an abiding sense of safety, security, well-being and acceptance. Sadly, many of us have distorted images of God, going back to our earliest days when wrong beliefs were rooted in our hearts. A wrong image is not simply a few passing thoughts. It’s a powerful mixture of thoughts and feelings, which the devil instigates. The devil has been lying from the beginning, and, when we believe his lies, we’re speaking his native language (John 8:44).

I believe that a wrong image of God is probably the biggest blockage to healing. How can anyone put their faith in an image which is neither trustworthy nor true? After all, the aim of all healing prayer has to be a deeper, closer relationship with God, through Jesus, who’s made this possible. Jesus taught us to call His Father our Father, and this is the most intimate, relational name we can know Him by. In Scripture, when God is referred to as Father, it’s a metaphor likening Him to a patient, kind, compassionate, concerned, caring, loving Father. Heart knowledge of this perfect Father carries us along the road of faith, leading to ongoing healing and wholeness. An intimate relationship with this Father, who sent His only son to be the Saviour of the world, is the answer to many of our insecurities, fears and anxieties, and to the healing of our wounded hearts.

A few hours before He died on the cross, Jesus prayed that all future believers in Him would know that they were loved by the Father as much as Jesus Himself (John 17:23). ‘This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love’, and it cost Jesus His life. He was separated from His Father on the cross so we could know, as children of God, that the Father of Jesus is our perfect Father, and that He has a divine plan for each of us, as we trust and obey Him.

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank You that You’re the One revealed to us in Jesus. You’re the only One who can mend our broken lives, heal our wounds and make us whole. Please forgive me for the times I’ve failed to trust You. Please show me if I’ve built blockages in my heart which keep You at a distance. I long for the head knowledge I have of You to be heart experience which draws me into a closer relationship with You. I praise You for Your unconditional love and acceptance, despite my unbelief. I pray in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.