Knowing Him

by Patty Morwood

Image via Bloom and Bless

​“Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom,
consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.”
John Calvin

Knowing yourself is a lifelong lesson and a lifelong battle. When you are led by the Lord to peel back layers, it’s a deep experience, for after submitting to the Word and asking the Lord for the big reveal, He answers by wrenching you with the truth. 

Your conscience screams “confess” because you can’t stand what you see in your character. You eagerly bow the knee, yearning to live in peace with God.  

Here’s what happens to me in this situation. Eventually my “flesh” comes to the surface. Its quest is to satisfy my hunger for God with worldly treasures rather than Heavenly ones. It lures; it whispers and soon it just takes over if I’m not sober-minded and aware of what my mind is thinking.

I think this is the familiar cycle of the pilgrim journey: victory in the Lord and a beautiful satisfying walk with Him in the high places … then a flesh-struggle. Victory again and another flesh-struggle.  Victory again. Step after step and year after year. 

But one really good thing continues to happen: in every step of the cycle I see myself more clearly. I also become aware that a godly hunger for the Lord Himself is deep within the core of my being and is actually is stronger than the power of my fleshly drives and desires. 

God gave each of us a hunger for Him that threads through our lives to a final victory. And I am so thankful! 

Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Redeemer of our souls has designed this lifetime-walk so once we’re born again we can discover that our hunger is always there. Even though its voice may be small sometimes. 

And the result of this constant hunger? A deepening walk into sanctification, right through it, and into the gates of heaven!

I have advice for you. Keep this hunger for fellowship with Him in the heart of your mind, not the outer edges; at the front of your brain, not in the muddling cloudy part where things get lost.

Focus on it, so you don’t find yourself led by the flesh. 

Feed it by looking for Him all day, every day.

 Talk Scripture back to Him; memorize it.

Talk about Him with people you know. Tell strangers and acquaintances about Him.
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And journal your gratitude for His providence in your daily life, where He reveals both Himself and you.

“You made us for yourself and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you.”
Augustine; 400s AD