There is a simple message from God that is repeated over and over again throughout the Bible: He delights far more in our efforts to draw near to Him than in any gift we can give Him. God longs to relate to us, so seeking Him expresses our love better than words.

It is a great privilege to know God, and the first step in this blessing is to receive His gift of new life through Christ. Our sin created a chasm between us and God, but the Lord Jesus, our mediator, bridged that gap, eliminating the separation. Through His death on the cross, He made it possible for us to become children of God (Galatians 4:4-5). Therefore, it is impossible to know the heavenly Father without knowing Christ. And when we trust in Christ, we also come to know the Holy Spirit, who comes to live within us permanently to guide, teach, and comfort us.

To make even more use of the privilege the Lord has given us, that of knowing the Father, we must be interested in what interests Him. If we analyze his way of doing things, we will understand what he considers important. What a blessing it is to share God's heart for humanity and to be involved every day in what He is doing around us!

Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, once again I want to thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, for it is through Him that I can know You and have an intimate relationship with You. Thank You, Lord, that You delight in my effort to seek You and want to have a personal relationship with You. Help me to take advantage of the privilege you have given me to know you. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1.    Micah 6:6-8 (NIV).

Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N.