Thursday December 21st, 2023
« I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep as the Father knows me. My sheep know me as I know the Father. »
21 “Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do.
22 When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God’s message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!’
23 Then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!’
It is one thing to know God and a completely different matter to be known by God.
To know God is highly rewarding. Daniel 11:32 KJV tells us that:
« …..but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. »
This is true of every character in the Bible who had an intimate knowledge of God like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Deborah, David and the apostles of Jesus Christ.
However, as glorious and beneficial as it is to know God, it is far more glorious and profitable to be known by God.
God is the All-knowing creator of all things and He is fully aware of the existence of every living soul.
So, when we speak of being known by God, we are not talking of mere awareness, but of recognition and acknowledgement.
All those who God recognized in the Bible were commended, vouched for and equipped to operate at a supernatural level.
In 2 Timothy 2:19 GNT the Bible says:
« But the solid foundation that God has laid cannot be shaken; and on it are written these words: “The Lord knows those who are His” and “Those who say that they belong to the Lord must turn away from wrongdoing »
This is a very strong statement coming from the Almighty God Himself.
The foundation of God is the surest reality on earth and in Heaven; this foundation is sealed with the knowledge of God about His people.
The verse further hinges the condition for attracting the special recognition of God on departing from sin and living a holy life.
Every character in the Bible that fulfilled this condition gained God’s confidence and special recognition.
It is therefore the knowledge of God about a person that enables such a person to confidently and effectively represent God. 2 Corinthians 10:18 CEV says
« You may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord’s approval. »
The question is, are you known by God!
Prayer focus – Father, I want to be known by You as one of Your special children, in the Mighty Name of Jesus.
Author – Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
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