Knowing and Following
by Malcolm Wood
We all relate to other people in different ways, and our knowledge of them varies, according to the level of the relationship we have with them. Whether it be as school mates, work colleagues, neighbours, customers, patients, or relatives, the extent of our knowledge of that person depends upon the appropriateness of the circumstances. For instance, although we would say we know our doctor, postman, or the person who lives up the road, we would expect to know our family members, such as our spouse, child, or grandma at a different level, and in a different way.
It is also possible to know a great deal about someone and yet have no relationship with them at all. We may know all there is to know about Henry the Eighth, or some current celebrity or dignitary, but have little or no chance of meeting them and having a relationship with them. Sadly, there are those who have studied the Bible, know all about Jesus, and yet have no relationship with Him.
It is clear from Scripture, that God’s intention from the beginning was for mankind to enjoy and benefit from relationship, and particularly relationship with Him. We read in Genesis 2:18, ‘It is not good for man to live alone’. When Adam’s close relationship with God was broken in the Garden of Eden, God was always seeking ways by which to restore that relationship with mankind, encouraging them to get to know Him and to enjoy closeness with Him. Ultimately, as we know, this desire on God’s part for restoration of relationship led to Jesus coming to earth to die for us at Calvary.
Knowing God is now possible through knowing the Lord Jesus, and walking and talking with Him. His desire for us, and our prayer for ourselves, should be that we might get to know Him better and enter more fully into the kind of intimate relationship of which the Bible speaks.
The challenge is - How well do I know Him, how well do you know Him and how close are we to Him? Here are some scriptures to encourage us as we seek to move on into a deeper relationship with God our Heavenly Father.
‘But now you belong to Christ Jesus. Though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought near to him because of the blood of Jesus’ (Ephesians 2:13).
‘I want you to be merciful; I don't want your sacrifices. I want you to know God; that's more important than burnt offerings’ (Hosea 6:6).
‘Oh that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him!’ (Hosea 6:3).
‘This is what he requires; to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8).
‘Let them boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who is just and righteous whose love is unfailing and I delight in these things’ (Jeremiah 9:24).
Prayer: Dear Lord, may we have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love really is. May we experience Your love, though it is so great we will never fully understand it. Then we will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from You. Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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