Paul stated the purpose of his life in Philippians when he said.

Philippians 3: 10 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead.”

Charles Hodges gives a definition of who God is when he states, “God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.”

J.I. Packer in his book “Knowing God” states that we have to have a purpose behind our pursuit of God or else it is just head knowledge which brings about pride.

God’s purpose in revealing himself to us is so that we would fulfill the purpose for which we are created.

How can we get to know Him?

God showed himself to Israel through the midst of their trials and struggles.

    Bitter water in Exodus 15: 26 If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians for I am the Lord who heals you. Jehovah Rophe

    Battle with the Amalekites Exodus 17: 15 Jehovah Nissi which means the Lord is My banner.

    Leviticus 20: 8 when people put their trust in other God’s they will be cut off, but I will make you holy for I am the one who sanctifies you Jehovah Mkaddesh

    Jehovah Shaloam Deuteronomy 27: 6 peace that comes from being made whole,.before they cross into the land and go to war against Jericho

Psalm 103: 7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds tot he people of Israel.

There is a big difference between knowing things about God and knowing God himself. the children of Israel knew all about the things God was doing in their midst, and yet they fell short of what God had for them and never entered the promised land. because they did not mix these revelations with faith. (Hebrews 4: 2)

If we are to obey and know God, we have to obey His commandments that He gives to us (1 John 2: 4)

How do we grow this type of faith?

Psalm 46 talks about the trials that come our way that could overwhelm us.

  1. God is our refuge
  2. Earth gives way
  3. Be still and know I am God
  • Watch our words and actions in a trial and inwardly submit
  • God is above all reason on our part so submit to Him
  • God is God so we will either drown in earthly cares, or develop a heart where the seed of faith will be planted and grow

Israel could not hear from God or know Him because they were overwhelmed with discouragement by their circumstances. (See Exodus 6: 1 – 9)

Isaiah 50: 10 states that when we walk in darkness, we need to trust in the name of the Lord because we may not be able to see Him during the trial.

Key Point: When we have a revelation of God we need to respond to that revelation