My God We Know Thee

 

Evening Devotion

DECEMBER 8

 

…My God, we know thee. -Hosea 8:2

 

To know God one must be taught of God: 

  we can only know God by knowing Jesus, 

     for he hath revealed him.
 
To know him as revealed in the broken law, 

  only fills us with terror and alarm; 

  for there we only learn his justice

  —requirements

  —wrath

  —terror

  —power

  —majesty

  —and jealousy.
 
But to know him as revealed in the gospel, 

  as make known in Jesus, 

    fills us with joy and peace: 

      for there we see his pity and compassion

  —his love and grace

  —hid power and mercy

  —his kindness and attention

  —his friendship and benevolence, 

      united and agreed to do us good.
 
If we know God, we shall trust in his word; 

  we shall love his perfections; 

    we shall perform his precepts; 

      we shall cleave to his people; 

        we shall be often at his throne; and 

          we shall delight to do his will.
 
To know God is to be truly wise, and to possess everlasting life; 

  for “This,” said Jesus, “is life eternal, to know thee the only true God, 

     and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
 
The knowledge of God comes from reading his word, 

   watching his providence, 

     studying his works, and 

        the teaching of his Holy Spirit.
 
Can we say to-nigh, “MY GOD, I KNOW THEE? MY GOD, I LOVE THEE?”
 

Come, Holy Ghost, unfold thy word,

Reveal the Saviour’s name;

Fill with the knowledge of the Lord,

The infinite I AM.

 
James Smith