What do you know? (Pt. 2)

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
(Romans 8:28-30)
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I would like us to find out what you know in scripture that gladdens and encourages you to trust in the Lord, no matter what happens in your life. The knowledge that God is all-knowing, knowing everything that concerns us, should cause us to submit to His will. For example, the Lord told the Prophet Jeremiah:

“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5).

God, who knew you before you were formed in the belly, and before you came out of the womb, has a divine plan for your life, just as He had for Jeremiah. If you have not discovered it yet, you will very soon, as you submit to the leading of the LORD.

Psalm 139: 1-6 is another portion of scripture that should comfort us as we face daily happenings in our lives. We have a God who has searched us and known us. He knows our downsitting and uprising. He also understands our thought afar off. He knows everything about us. He knows and understands our frailness and fears, so He surrounds us with His presence behind and before, and lays His hand upon us to assure us that we are safe and protected by His personal presence. (Read Job 23:8-10).

When we worry about our daily needs, He steps in and assures us not to worry with these words:

“(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
(Matthew 6:32-33).

The emphasis is on:. “…for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things”. The LORD will always supply your need according to His riches in Christ Jesus. These truths should encourage and strengthen us to completely and unreservedly trust in the Lord, because of His unparalleled knowledge about us.

On our part, there must be some truths that we must hold dear our hearts that keep us going for the Lord, in the face of all suffering, challenges and uncertainties in life.

For example Job makes a bold statement in the midst of all his trials, ridicule and suffering in Job 19: 25-27:

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”

Job said: “I know my Redeemer lives” Can you say, like Job, “I know my Redeemer lives”? This is a strong statement of conviction and consolation in time of life’s trials, tragedies and tribulations. It is the declaration of victory and triumph that points to our future bliss and blessings. Job knew that his Redeemer lives. What do you know?

In 2 Timothy 1:12 Paul made a powerful declaration that defied all the sufferings he was going through.

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

Paul is saying: ‘I am safe and secure, I am protected and preserved by the One I have committed my soul to’. Do you know whom you have believed? Can you declare like Paul, that you are convinced that He is able to keep you till He joyfully presents you faultless before the Father? Paul says: “I know whom I have believed…” What do you know?

The Apostle Paul makes another ‘I know’ statement in Philippians 4:11-13:

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Paul, by his experience says that he knows both how to be abased, and how to abound. Paul learnt to be content in every situation he found himself, because he could do all things through the strength Christ gave him. Can you say that you know how to live, both in plenty and in scarcity, and yet rejoice at all times because you depend on the strength of Christ?

Finally we read in Romans 8:28:

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Let me ask you a simple question, can you associate yourself with those who say “And we know” and personalize it to make your statement? Can you say : “I know that all things work together for my good”? This is a statement of conviction that leads to total surrender and submission to the will of God, believing that no matter how muddy and slippery the ground might be, God will always have the final say and make all things work together for our good.

Beloved, those who can confidently say: ‘I know my Redeemer lives, I know whom I have believed, I know how to both abound and be abased and I know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose’, are bound to live safe, stable, sustainable and satisfying lives. So, I ask you – what do you know? Shalom.

OUR PRAYER
Lord, I desire to know you intimately to foster a sustained and satisfying fellowship with you as my Redeemer, Saviour, Protector and Provider. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.