"...That They May Know That I Am God."

Nearly everything that happens in our lives happens simply so that we might know God. Hardships. Blessings. Loss. Gain. The Lord divinely appoints all circumstances so that He might be glorified, magnified in us.

Even pop culture seems to grasp part of this truth, though incomplete. Kanye West sings, "That, that don't kill me, can only make me stronger." In fact, many celebrities and singers communicate this same message. And it's true, we do become stronger throughout the challenges of life. But why do we become stronger? Is it for our good, or for God's? When challenges come, this is an opportunity for God's strength to be made manifest in us. Though it does benefit us, we are not the end goal. God is. As we become strong, it's not really our strength at all. It is the divine strength of the One who made us. His strength is limitless, ours is limited. How freeing it is to draw strength from a source which has no end!

Not only do hardships come our way so that we might know Him, but blessings come with the same purpose. The danger of being blessed by God is that we might fail to see Him as the source of our blessing. He is the only one who is altogether good; therefore, all that is good comes from Him (James 1:17). He gives us good things, that we might glorify His name, as our eyes begin to see more clearly His kindness, provision, faithfulness, and graciousness. Also, He blesses us, so that we might be a blessing to others (Gen. 12:2). This truth is in perfect harmony with the two greatest commandments that Jesus later gives us in Matthew Gospel account: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22:35-40). The symmetry in biblical texts, even over the test of time, is one of the many ways God has shown His word to be infallible, absolute truth. Loving God propels us and enables us to love one another, as Jesus laid it out for us in its proper order.

When we speak of the Lord blessing us, we must be careful with the way we define blessing. While blessing may mean health and wealth, our greatest blessing is often much different. Jesus said it well in His sermon the mount:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
(Matthew 5:2-12)

These are the ones who are called blessed.

As the Lord blesses us, the only appropriate response is to believe God, know God, and glorify God. Has God blessed you with meaningful relationships? Those of family? Friends? Spouse? Glorify Him by building each other up, spurring one another on towards Christ. Love one another from within your hearts (Col. 3:12-17; Rom. 12:9-21; 1 Cor. 13). Has God blessed you with a home? Food to eat? Glorify God through giving your resources back to Him and to those who are in need. Trust His promise to provide for you, and be generous in your giving. Has God blessed you through an awakening of His love for you? Glorify Him by offering your very life as a sacrifice unto Him.

God gives us exactly what we need in His perfect timing, that we might know Him and proclaim His excellencies. For some, this means being a missionary in a third world country. For others, this means living as an ambassador of Christ wherever you are and whatever your job description may be. I praise God for those of you who see it as your primary purpose in life to know and glorify God! You are a co-heirs and co-laborer with Christ (1 Cor. 3:6-9).

So then, whether in plenty or in need, in affliction or ease, in joy or sorrow, let us strive to see God for who He truly is. Throughout generations upon generations, God has revealed Himself to us, that we might know that He is God. These thoughts of mine have been shaped over time, but have been more recently confirmed through the study of Genesis and Exodus. The Lord relentlessly delivers this message: "I will do this or that...that they may know that I am God."

For further study:

Genesis 5:1; 6:18; 8:22; 9:11-13; 12:2; 15:5-6; 16:13; 18:1; 22:9-14; 26:24; 28:15-17; 29:31-35; 32:30; 35:10-11; 39:23; 41:16,52; 43:23; 45:8; 50:19-20

Exodus 3:6,12; 4:10-12,31; 6:6-7, 7:17; 8:19,22; 9:6,14-16,29; 10:1-2; 11:9; 12:17; 13:8-10; 14:13-14,17-18,31; 15:26; 16:12; 17:6-7; 18:8-11; 19:9,20; 20:18-21; 24:17