Do You Know God?

If you’re a Christian you’re answering, “Of course I know God.”

You’re thinking, “I go to church, usually. I donate money to charity…visit my elderly neighbor, and I’m not a drinker like my boss.”

Those traits are definitely all good things, but do you know God intimately, in a way to get you through a tough situation?

There’s a story I heard a long time ago that is relative to this topic:

During a hard storm a river overflows onto a man’s property and surrounds his home. The homeowner stands on his porch watching the water rise. A small boat approaches and the captain says, “Jump in. I’ll take you to safety.”
“No thanks,” says the homeowner. “I put my trust in God.” So the small boat sails away.
The water continues to rise, forcing the homeowner up to the second floor. He looks out the window as a bigger boat approaches. The second captain says to the home owner, “Jump in. I’ll save you.”
The homeowner again says, “No thanks. I put my trust in God.” So the second boat sails away as the water continues to rise.
Now the homeowner stands on his roof, the water touching his feet. A helicopter flies above and drops a ladder. The pilot yells to the homeowner, “Climb the ladder. I’ll save you.”
The homeowner shouts, “No thanks. I put my trust in God.”
The helicopter flies off. The water rises and sweeps the homeowner away. He drowns.
Standing in heaven, God says to the homeowner, “What are you doing here?”
The homeowner replied, “I put my trust in You, and You never came to help me.”
God replies, “What do you mean? I sent you two boats and a helicopter!”
Author Unknown

As this story unfolds there is no stopping the flood waters from surrounding the homeowner, just as there is no stopping evil from constantly attacking Christians.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The devil is constant, awaiting any opportunity to attack our bodies, minds, and souls. And he will attack over and over. Each time we refuse to acknowledge, confront, or step away from a bad situation, the devil surrounds us more.

This homeowner knows he is in trouble and apparently knows of Jesus, but it seems his relationship with Jesus is lacking. Through Bible readings we learn Jesus is our constant to fight evil, but, we also learn Jesus doesn’t just miraculously appear and make things better.

When Jesus healed the centurion’s servant it was because the centurion took action and asked Jesus to do it. When Jesus healed the bleeding woman it was because she took action and touched His cloak. Jesus also healed a blind man and lepers because people took action and came to Jesus.

Unlike homeowner who assumed Jesus would just save him from disaster, the people from the Bible took action and spoke out. They, and many others, humbled themselves before the Lord then asked for help. They acknowledged Jesus’ power and authority over their dire situations.

Apparently, though homeowner doesn’t humble himself before God in this story, God in His mercy still offered help. He offered two boats and a helicopter to homeowner, but homeowner doesn’t see the help. Homeowner is blind to the help right in front of him. He is expecting help more grand than a boat or helicopter since he is expecting the help to come from God. But often, and we learn this from continued Bible reading, God gives us just enough.

Just enough rings true in the story of the manna. Though God was saving the Jews from 430 years of slavery, leading them to the promised land, they still complained about the food – so He provided manna. Manna was a sweet, bread-like substance which God provided fresh every day and the Jews were to gather only enough for that day’s use. God gave them enough, yet it wasn’t enough for them, and sure enough they complained they wanted something more.

In the story, God gives homeowner enough, yet it isn’t enough for him, and he ends up dying.

Proverbs 10:24-25 What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted. When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

Homeowner, like the Jews traveling to the Promised Land, knows God exists, but he’s never taken time to develop a relationship with God. He’s never taken time to learn who God is or how to prayerfully communicate with God. It’s only though constant daily communication with God that we develop a deep relationship with Him. Knowing God allows us to find peace or understand His help in a dreadful situation.

I encourage you to read your Bible. Then invite God into our current situation and allow your body, mind and soul to know who God is – before evil attacks you again.

Are You A Follower Of Jesus?

If you’re uncertain you’ve ever invited Jesus into your heart – now is the perfect time. Pray this sinner’s prayer found at Gotquestions.com. Only through Jesus Christ can you receive the redemptive hope that He alone offers.

“God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!”

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