Dr. Dan Hayden •
I know the geography of Afghanistan – probably many of us do by now. But I’ve never been to Afghanistan, so I can’t say I know Afghanistan like I know New York. I really know New York – I used to live there..
When you say that you know something, you could mean a number of things: 1) you know it because someone told you about it; 2) you know it because you read something about it; 3) you know it because you experienced it. Well, it’s this last way of knowing that I’m talking about today. In Psalm 46:10 God says, “Be still, and know that I am God…”
The word “know” here is a Hebrew verb that means “to know” in the sense of seeing or experiencing something. It is translated in a wide variety of ways, including words like “to perceive, to discern, to be acquainted with, to observe, to recognize.” Hence, “to know” is to really know. This is not an academic knowledge – this is a knowledge gained by experience.
In Genesis 4:1 we read, “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bore” a son. To “know” his wife, meant that he had intimate relations with her. It was the “knowing” of a personal experience. Well, that is what God is saying in Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.” This is NOT an academic knowledge, where you study the theology of God. But this IS a personal knowledge gained by actually having a relationship with God.
When we are still, God communicates with us primarily through His Word, but also with thoughts and feelings that are very personal. God desires to be intimate with us so that we really know Him. Now isn’t that amazing! God says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Say – The only way to know God is through Jesus, His Son. Jesus is the Savior, you know. When you know Jesus – you know God.