Knowing God and the Lord Jesus Christ is a blessing. People usually do not desire to know them, because they are more eager to seek by themselves ways to harmony. Therefore, we hear of the way that is broad. Men and women often desire to be without burden and pain. They wish that some things do not happen in their life. And when they look back at their life, they wish they could have done some things differently. It is in their common knowledge to know that they cannot control everything. Yet, more often than not, they use this as the reason to seek their own ways to harmony in life. They forget that they are created beings and that their inner self can be directed in the knowledge of the Creator. If only they hear, they can certainly realize what was availed to those who heard. “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Pet. 1:2).
To continually possess the knowledge of God and His Son provides harmony in life. Whatever may be our circumstance, the grace and peace that continually flow into us will serve us. In times of sorrow, weakness, struggle and loneliness we will not be forsaken. Men are often saddened by troubles in life and do not have ways to escape. They seek various avenues, but do not find harmony. No one gives to men anything for free, except God; it is by His grace. He is able for it, since He has the power to direct them for His glory. By having this knowledge they can realize that nothing is impossible to God. Yet, they do not harbor the knowledge of His power. When we harbor it, we see the goodness of grace being revealed to us. Grace brings to us that which we cannot find. To be unable to find answers to all our troubles and longings makes life painful and not worth living. Peace evades us. Frustration and tempers flow fast in us.
For the one who has the knowledge of God and His Son always finds what evades him. God will not let him lose heart in times of trouble. He gives grace to Him. “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last’” (Rev. 1:17). To know that the Son is the first and the last is the knowledge of God and of the Lord Jesus. The Son reveals God and it is sufficient for harmony in life. A great number still do not understand the incredible confidence present in knowing the Son; nothing evades His power. It not only reveals that He is the Creator of all, but most importantly to the believing, it reveals He has the knowledge of all things. Then, there is nothing that can harm them. Because of His stature, He has many ways to provide for them. He is able to satisfy them with all things necessary and at times even beyond. Men commonly fail to escape troubles and sufferings, since they seek their own ways. They do not realize their ways are of the world and of sin. But, it is not so with God’s children. They have no ways except God’s. Every time they appeal to Him with an attitude of praise and a heart of reconciliation they find His ways. His ways are of grace and hence, there will be peace. “And He began to teach and say to them, ‘Is it not written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS’? But you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN’” (Mark 11:17).
You and I am God’s house. And Jesus says God’s house is a house of prayer for all people. What does this mean? It means we bear great responsibility in glorifying God. Firstly, we ought to be a people of prayer. Our hearts are the place for communicating with God. Our diligent and incessant prayers offered in faith must avail grace to us. Then, as those that tasted grace, we see the reason God called us to be the light of the world. It is the way of faith which God has given us. We are a unique people who can call on God for peace. In doing so, God will fulfill the purpose of the Gospel. He creates ways where there are none and brings peace. Many will know God. This symbolizes grace, because we possessed the knowledge of God. On the contrary, if we fill our hearts with our own ways, we become men that rob God of His glory. So, know that we are called to fulfill the whole purpose of God. And Paul was able to say, “Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told” (Acts 27:25).
Paul was God’s house of prayer for all men. He was a man who not only had harmony in life, but also brought it into the lives of others. For this purpose God chose Him that He might glorify Himself through him. Everywhere he went the grace and peace that brings harmony was in Him. He knew exactly how God would work in and with him, i.e. he knew Him to provide ways when he could not find one. So, he at times also took an occasion in the Spirit to speak to men of his sufferings in the Lord. He was a man like us going through troubles, sorrows, weaknesses and loneliness. Yet, in all of them he was not frustrated or angered, but found ways of escape by the knowledge of God and His Son. And, he boldly told the men in the ship that God will save them all. See the effect of grace and peace that multiplies in a man in the knowledge of God. What God does to and with one man is for the larger effect. It is His glory. You too can be that man, if you grasp Him “from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Eph. 3:15).
As you become that man, you print on your heart that God is your Father and that He gave you a name. You revere Him with all your heart and appeal to Him with all fear. He sustains you throughout your living on this earth. You demonstrate the advent of grace and peace. You obtain His will in whatever circumstances you need Him. Knowing Him has superior advantages. (For in these last days being His house means He has spoken to you in His Son). Paul was always aware of who God is. He acknowledged Him in all the matters of his life. Hence, by the grace that appeared he quickly gave courage to the men in the ship. Having such advantage in God yields victories in life. All men are prone to troubles, sufferings and weaknesses, but only those that possess the knowledge of God will efficiently overcome them. For consider the God whom you have known (or ought to know). “And he was preaching, and saying, ‘After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals’” (Mark 1:7).
He is the God that is the first and the last. While John the Baptist came preparing the way, many were astonished. They wondered who he was and what he will be. But, he spoke of the One mightier than him. That One is Jesus and His mightiness is not of this world. So, imagine the ability Jesus has toward those that believe in Him. When our knowledge of Him is as pure milk, His grace and peace appear with power for our sake. We do not regret the life we live, since we live it for the Son of God. Again, we do not wish to look back, as the Son has erased all our regrets. Our burdens, sufferings, pain and loneliness will all be as a passing shadow. We have known He is mightier, because He gave us the power of God, the Holy Spirit, so that we do not lose intimacy with Him. The Spirit guides us into all the ways God stored for us; they give blessings and joy. As we walk in them we demonstrate our faith in God revealing that every family on earth and in heaven indeed receives a name from Him. That which is for the glory of God will always be done; for God seeks it. And “Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord” (Acts 13:12).