For God and With God

Understanding the Call to Know God

David counselled Solomon, saying, “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind...” (1 Chronicles 28:9)

David’s counsel goes beyond mere acquaintance with God; it calls for a profound, personal relationship with the Almighty. This directive, "Know the God of your father," is not a passive suggestion but a compelling invitation to develop an intimate connection with the Lord. It highlights a pivotal truth echoed in John 17:3, where the essence of eternal life is described as knowing the Father and Jesus Christ. This knowing is not superficial but involves a deep, experiential understanding and relationship.

Personal Relationship Over Inherited Faith

David's advice to Solomon underscores a crucial spiritual principle: faith and a relationship with God are not inheritable assets. Each individual must forge their own connection with God, independent of familial ties. This means you cannot ride on the back of your parents' relationship with the Lord. You need to have your own relationship with the Lord. David knew the Lord very closely. Now, it was time for Solomon to develop his own intimacy with God.

Today, there are many people who always ask their parents, their spouses, and their leaders to pray for them, while they themselves never pray, worship, or meditate on the word of God. Of course, there is nothing wrong with asking our loved ones to pray for us, but there comes a time when we need to do the praying ourselves. For this, you and I need to know the Lord.

This principle remains relevant today, challenging everyone to move beyond superficial spirituality and engage in a direct, personal relationship with God.

The Sequence of Relationship and Service

David's exhortation to Solomon to serve "with a loyal and a willing mind" highlights the joy and privilege of serving God. Service, as a form of worship, extends the love and message of Christ to others, offering hope and comfort. Yet, David emphasises the priority of relationship over service. The foundation of any service to God must be rooted in a personal, intimate relationship with Him. Without this foundation, service risks becoming a source of frustration and burnout. You could also end up getting hurt and bitter over little things.

Serving God without a solid foundation of personal relationship with the Lord can lead to spiritual weariness. These challenges signal a need to revisit and rejuvenate one's personal relationship with God. Spending quality time with the Lord through prayer, meditation, and studying His Word is crucial to sustaining a healthy balance between service and spiritual nourishment.

The Commandment of Love

At the heart of our relationship with God is the commandment to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). This commandment encapsulates the essence of our faith journey, directing us to a love that encompasses every aspect of our being. It is in loving God deeply and wholly that we find the strength and motivation to serve Him effectively and joyfully.

For God and With God

Most Read