More Than Knowledge: Encountering God Personally

In Psalm 46:10 we read a very famous verse: “Be still and know that I am God” 
 
There comes a point where we need to move beyond just knowing about God, to knowing Him as the Lord for the situation we are in. Throughout the Old Testament God was revealing His nature as provider, healer, protector etc because in every situation He is the one that we need. 
 
This week as we read Acts chapters 7 to 10, we see many different people coming to know God for themselves in their situation. In chapter 7 we read all about Stephen giving the revelation of what has happened throughout the history of Israel and as he speaks of the revelation of who Jesus is this causes the religious people to become angry. Even in this dreadful situation where Stephen is about to be killed, He sees Jesus in His glory. Instead of being consumed with His situation Stephen comes to know the glory of God! 
 
Then in chapter 8 we read all about Philip who goes around telling everyone about Jesus and in the middle of this encounters the Ethiopian man who doesn’t understand it. Philip helps explain who Jesus is and because of this the man gets saved. The revelation of Jesus leads to salvation. 
 
In chapter 9, Saul’s mission of persecution comes to an end when he encounters Jesus. Saul went from knowing about God to suddenly meeting with Him as Jesus appeared to him. The revelation of Jesus leads to a changed life. 
 
Finally in Chapter 10, Peter who know the Lord and had led so many to Jesus already is given a revelation of how God wants to reach all the world. This vision leads to Peter going to visit a gentile family and seeing them get saved. Even though Peter knew the Lord, this new understanding changed the course of his ministry. The revelation of Jesus leads to an expanded mission. 
 
Wherever you are at in life and whatever situation you find yourself in today, God wants to meet with you and reveal Himself to you so that you can not only know Him for who He truly is but so that you can be effective in your ministry and witness to others.  
 
In Ephesians 1:17 Paul (the same one who was previously called Saul and met with Jesus) prays that we will have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. 
 
Knowing God propels us into the revealing of His glory in our lives and in those that we meet. It changes the direction of our lives and stops us from going against what He wants. It helps us to see many become saved and to reach even those beyond our normal group. 
 
So right now, take a few minutes, be still, stop whatever you are doing and allow God to reveal Himself to you afresh and see how it will change your life.