"To Know… To Trust"
Our spiritual enemies do everything they can to discourage born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, as allowed by God. "There are many adversaries" declared the Apostle Paul in his day (I Corinthians 16:9). Devils, the world, and the flesh remain, seeking to hinder our consistent and growing access to a salvation in the Lord Jesus that promises abundant supply in every circumstance, condition, and situation.
"His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (II Peter 1:3).
Note the promise and the contingency. Our Heavenly Father has already given to us everything that pertains to the internals and externals of our present existence. "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). However, availing ourselves of such availability requires "the knowledge of Him." Indeed, we must know someone in order to trust them and benefit from their faithfulness. I often share the story of my mother wheeling our youngest daughter around the block in a stroller when Emmie was a baby. Emmie loved the journeys, as did my mother, and I had complete confidence that our daughter was in good, trustworthy hands. I well knew my mother. However, suppose a stranger had knocked on my door one day. "Mr. Davis," he said, "I hear that your baby daughter loves to be pushed around the block in her stroller. Well, here I am, sir! I'll be glad to do that for you every day!" Nice offer perhaps, albeit a bit strange (bear with me. It's a good illustration! :) :) ). The gentleman may have been perfectly trustworthy. But if I didn't know him, forget about it! Again, we trust others to the degree we know them.
Every born again believer trusts God to one degree or another. You cannot be a believer it you don't (Romans 1:17). However, do we trust Him well enough to navigate the paths of our lives with a confident, consistently joyful heart governed by the peace of Christ? Honest Christians will all confess need regarding such experience, namely, to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). We need to know Him better in order to trust Him more, and thus to walk in the faith that results in faithfulness of heart, mind, attitude, and behavior. We possess all things in Christ regarding this life and forevermore. Access to such grace awaits the faith that lays hold of God's provision in all things. Such faith results from knowledge, the knowledge of God as revealed by His Word, His Spirit, His church, and His ongoing work in our hearts to reveal the Trustworthiness that leads to trust.
"I... cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power."
(Ephesians 1:15-19).
Weekly Memory Verse
"Peace to the brethren, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
(Ephesians 6:23)
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