How Well Do You Know God?

I've just started reading the book of Job.  I have to admit, I was not excited about reading Job again.  In the Chronological Bible, Job comes after Genesis.  Genesis is full of new beginnings and adventure, and Job is dark and depressing.  I told God that I did not want to read this book, and  asked Him to reveal something new to me while reading it this time.  And of course, God is faithful and answered that prayer.

What is really speaking to me this time while reading is the relationship Job had with God.

How do you speak to someone you don't have a personal relationship with?   Someone like the cashier at the store, the employee at the customer service desk, the attendant at the service station, etc.  I tend to just make small talk with these people.  I don't share my problems with them or get into deep conversations.  We usually save those deep discussions for people we are close to.  I won't tell a stranger that I am struggling with an issue, but I will tell a close friend.  I speak openly and honestly with those I have a personal relationship with.

That's how Job speaks to God.  Job's friends assumed that his troubles were because he had sinned.  Job knew he had done nothing to cause these afflictions, and he openly complains to God.

I will say to God, 'Don't simply condemn me – tell me that charge you are bringing against me.  What do you gain by oppressing me?  Why do you reject me, the work of your hands?   Job 10:2-3

Tell me, what have I done wrong?  Show me my rebellion and my sin.  Why do you turn away from me?  Why do you treat me as your enemy?  Job 13:23-24

To me, these conversation speaks of a intimate relationship.  He knew God well enough to be able to speak to Him freely.  And while Job complained to God, he never denied Him.

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.  Job 13:15

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.  Job 19:25

David had this same kind of relationship with God.  He was able to speak freely to God because he knew Him.  David spoke of his troubles to God:

O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.  For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me.  Psalm 38:1-2

And David praised God:

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you – I, whom you have redeemed.  My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long.  Psalm 71:23-24

I looked up the word “know” at Biblestudytools.com:  to become thoroughly acquainted with, to recognize by sight, hearing, of certain signs, to perceive who a person is. 

Job and David were thoroughly acquainted with God.  Because of this, they were able to completely pour out their hearts to Him.  Job and David knew God.

So my question for all of us is this – Do we know God?  Are we so familiar and comfortable with Him that we can tell Him anything?  (Remember, David and Job may have complained to God, but they didn't deny Him.)  God desires that kind of relationship with us.  He already knows how we are feeling and what we are thinking.  He just wants us to be so close to Him that we feel free to tell Him everything.  Do you have that kind of relationship with God?   Do you KNOW God?

 

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