“Have I been with you so long Philip, and yet you have not known Me?” (John 14:9)

What a stinging question!

Philip had been one of the first Disciples chosen, probably the fourth, and now after three full years of being with Jesus, in the same relationship as the other eleven, Jesus asks the question “have you not known Me?”

 The truth is that now, as then, it is quite possible to be in a relationship with someone without really knowing them.  It’s not unusual in marriage counseling to see couples who have been married for several years yet know surprisingly little about each other because life gets in the way.  Busyness, careers, responsibilities, recreation, all compete for our affections.  Simply put, relationships take work, and a lot of it!

WE CAN KNOW GOD

“But let him who glories glory in this that he understands and knows Me” (Jeremiah 9:24)

 We were created in His image to have a relationship with God. That relationship was broken by sin but He loved us to the point that He allowed His only Son to pay  the price for the relationship to be restored, but only on His terms.  The process begins with salvation and continues with a lifetime, even eternity, of knowing Him more and more.

KNOWING GOD TAKES FAITH

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  (Hebrews 11:6)

“So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

 Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God.  Far more than positive thinking, faith is built on the Word of God. Our understanding of God must be based on the Truth of His Word, and any concept of God that is not based on His Word is at best wishful thinking and at worst wrong.  The key word in Hebrews 11:6 is “diligently”, faith doesn’t happen overnight!

KNOWING GOD TAKES TIME

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”  (Psalm 1:2)

 There are those who say it is possible to drive through each of the lower 48 states in 97 hours and it is a 6,500 mile trip. Quite an accomplishment!  But other than bragging rights I’m not sure we’ve accomplished anything.  Sadly a similar thing can happen as we read the Bible if we fall into the trap of it being something to “check off the list”.  A verse a day to keep the devil away as we choke down a pop-tart is like driving through a state at 70 mph on an interstate.  How much better (and enjoyable) to go backroads, stop in small towns, meet and get to know people, go sightseeing and experience their culture.

Philip and John had been together as disciples for three years.  They had seen the same things, been to the same places, and had the same experiences with Jesus yet Philip didn’t know Him and John did. The difference was the depth of the relationship, not just the time.

Our devotional time each day is time that we invest with our dearest Friend who loves us most. He’s there 24/7/365 desiring a relationship with us that He suffered and died to make possible. He wants to be as much a part of our lives as we will allow Him to be, and has plans for us that are beyond our wildest dreams.  Is ten minutes with Him enough? Is an hour too much? Rather than rushing through His Word at 70 mph, what if we learn to slow down and listen for His voice? Linger on one verse or passage, take the time to look up the references in a study Bible, a word definition, or a passage in a commentary.  It’s okay to spend a week (or a month) on one chapter!  Ask  Him to explain what you’re reading and make it relevant to you personally. Ask Him for wisdom in a decision or help with a problem, both are in His Word.  Reading His Word is Him talking to us, prayer is us talking to Him, both together are a relationship!

“May not the inadequacy of much of our spiritual experience be traced back to our habit of skipping through the corridors of the kingdom like little children through the marketplace, chattering about everything but pausing to learn the true value of nothing.”  A. W. Tozer