Knowing God

What matters is knowing God. Yes, there are decisions that we make; we need to hear the voice of our teacher telling us what to do, to hear that voice behind us saying, “this is the way, walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21) But what matters is that He is no longer hidden (vs.20). When Mary Magdalene in the garden was weeping, there was a man—she supposed him to be the gardener—who spoke with her but then she heard his voice, saying her name, “Mary” and she turned and said, “Rabboni” which means, “My teacher.” She knew him now.Then he gave her work to do, “Go to my brethren and tell them…” So, the first thing is to know the Lord; it’s the pearl of great price. When Jesus said her name, it was the same as, “Lazarus, come out.” He had awoken her heart to see. Everything begins with the Lord speaking a word, calling into being the things that are not. The reason why the assembly and even the building itself is a sanctuary, a refuge is because Jesus is. (Luke 14:40). Why then is the church locked, ever?—but especially on Sunday! The disciples locked the door, inadvertently preventing Jesus, preventing the cure to all their diseases from entering! But he’s able to tear down all our prisons, release the captive. My friend in Chicago went to churches on Sunday trying the doors, but then something wonderful, an assembly in the parking lot. The building is a refuge but the people even more so.  And this leads us to remember one thing more. No one should ever be “told on” because they worship. No arm of the government should ever be told or even ask who worshipped and when. The church, the assembly is a refuge because this is what the Lord is. Praise God for this time; we are learning to know him.