Knowing God

Throughout my life, I managed from time to time to get a new glimpse of this great God who created me. Each new insight seems to overwhelm me for a time. Until I get used to this new kernel of knowledge. Before long, I seem to file away that new aspect of my Holy Father, and too often begin waiting expectantly for another crumb to drop from His table. In a way, it's as though I'm climbing a ladder, except I tend to doze off instead of reaching for the next level.

On looking back, I can see myself slumbering through daily life on autopilot when I should have been eagerly looking for the Lord’s next revelation and praising Him for the blessings already filed. When I actually take time to inventory the riches from His bounty, my eyes are filled with images proving His provision,

                                   His power,
                                               His passion
                                                           for His creations: a bird in spring bringing food to her hatchings, a bee who somehow knows to collect pollen from a flower which results in honey, a busy ant working in concert with its army as an example to me to be more industrious. These things remind me of His loving care and make me feel safe in His arms. I’m comfortable and familiar with this God.

Other images remind me of His mighty power and my heart thuds in my chest to see displays of God’s power: a mighty waterfall roaring over a cliff, a lightning streak burning anything it touches, crashing thunder vibrating in the pit of my stomach, a tsunami (thankfully experienced only through film), the nothingness left behind a tornado, the comets whizzing through space toward earth, which He diverts and saves our world while we’re not even aware of danger.

And yet most days I drift through my day, barely remembering to say hello to my Heavenly Father and forgetting, ignoring the great punishment this same God could have brought to me (which I deserve) and the horrific punishment Jesus suffered so I will not.

I startle in horror when I am suddenly aware of Almighty God. How dare I ignore His presence, His ownership of this world and its inhabitants? I cringe as I comprehend anew that this same God controls my very existence, my next breath of air, and His great love is equaled by His standard of perfection. How can I daily live as though ignoring Him is an option?  Our next world, whether a palace in His presence or locked away forever in an eternal fiery darkness, will depend on whether we honor and obey, or turn away from His hand reaching to bring us to safety.

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Psalm 46:10 New American Standard

Notice He doesn't say exalted "by My people", He's talking about all of us on that day, believers or not prior to Judgment Day. He is a fierce God, an awesome. fearsome God to those who don't answer His call. Ready or not, judgment will come!

It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.     Romans 14:11, New American Standard

He says give me your heart now;  don't wait for Judgment Day, you will be left behind!

Hosanna to the God of All There Is!