There is a big difference between knowing about someone and truly knowing them. You can know, hear stories, and even be in the same room with a person but still not have a real relationship with them. Sadly, that is how many of us treat God. We know His name, we hear about Him at church, and we may even say a prayer now and then, but our hearts are far from Him.
This is exactly what God was speaking about in Isaiah 1:3
“The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” (NIV)
When the prophet Isaiah shared these words, he was pointing out something shocking. Even animals know who takes care of them. They recognize the voice of the one who feeds them and keeps them safe. Yet God’s own people, the ones He delivered, provided for, and loved, had turned away from Him.
I can relate to this. For years I called myself a Christian but I did not truly know Go I had a relationship with religion and church life but not with the One the church is supposed to be about. My life was shaped more by the world than by God’s Word.
Why This Matters
You can hold the title of Christian and still be disconnected from Christ. That is just sad; it is dangerous. This reality is everywhere. We are passionate about our churches and our traditions, yet many have lost the fear and awe of God. Or if you were like me, I did not even know what fearing God truly meant.
We build calendars and teams and platforms while neglecting the secret place. We want the hand of God to move, but we do not seek the face of God.
Isaiah is sounding an alarm. An alarm that applies to all of us today and one that we cannot ignore. In a world of distraction, compromise, and imitation spirituality, we must pursue God for ourselves. If we do not, we will become fluent in church culture while remaining strangers to Christ.
Three Foundations to Truly Knowing God
God is not a small image in a stained-glass window. He is not a soft character in a movie scene. He is the great and mighty Creator of the universe, holy, powerful, and worthy of all glory. To know Him means to spend time with Him, to learn His character, and to allow His Word to shape how we think, speak, and live. These are the three foundations that God walked me through on my journey to having a close relationship with Him.
Fear God
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is
understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10 NIV)
To fear God is not to be terrified of Him, but to stand in awe of His holiness, power, and authority. To live in wonder, delight and heartfelt hunger to be with Him. To taste and see how great God is. He is the great God whose hand spans the galaxy and whose footstool is the earth. He is bigger than we can imagine and greater than we can comprehend. Fearing God is trusting and deeply respecting the One who created us, who loves us even when we fall short, who remains faithful, and who gives good things to His children. This is the starting point for truly knowing Him. Living this out: Begin your prayers by magnifying God before bringing your needs to Him. Speak of His greatness, thank Him for who He is, and worship Him for His holiness. This shifts your heart into reverence and reminds you that every request is being placed before the Almighty King.
Surrender to God
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV)
When you truly know who God is, surrender becomes the next step. It is choosing to trust Him with every part of your life, even when you do not understand what He is doing. We serve a God who is omnipotent, all powerful, omniscient, all knowing, and omnipresent, everywhere. There is no one greater than Him. Surrender does not mean you will be perfect, but it does mean daily laying down your plans, your timeline, and your desires, believing that His ways are higher and His thoughts are greater. Surrender is not weakness; it is the strongest and safest place you can stand because you are in the will of God. Living this out: Each morning, tell God you are giving Him your day. Pray something as simple as, “Holy God, humbly I enter Your presence. Lord, I trust You with my plans, my decisions, and my outcomes. I come to You for my daily bread. Lead me in the way I should go.” Then, as the day unfolds, practice surrender by accepting His leading with peace, even if it looks different from what you expected.
Spend Time with God in Prayer, Fasting, and Scripture
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV).
When you fear God and surrender to God, the natural next step is to spend time with God. A relationship grows with time, and the more you invest in it, the deeper it becomes. God invites you into the presence of God daily, not just on Sundays or in moments of crisis. Prayer is your conversation with God. Fasting quiets the noise of the world so you can focus on the voice of God. Reading the Word allows God to speak directly to your heart. These are not empty spiritual routines. They are life-giving habits that deepen your intimacy with God, sharpen your discernment, and align your heart with the will of God. Living this out: Set aside a specific time each day to connect with God. Begin by praying and thanking God for His in your life. Read a portion of Scripture slowly, asking the Holy Spirit to help you understand and apply the Word of God. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into certain days or seasons of fasting, using that time to worship God, pray, and listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Treat these moments as sacred appointments with God that cannot be missed.
My Prayer for You
Almighty God, Great Jehovah, we worship and honor Your holy name. Adonai, there is no one greater than God. Lord Jesus, I long for Your sweet embrace. I thirst and hunger for the presence of God and the Word of God. Almighty God, may my sacrifice never be distasteful to You. May my prayers never cause You to turn away from me. Holy Spirit, open my eyes and my heart to anything I do not yet understand about God. Teach me and guide me into all truth. I am Yours, Almighty God. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
My friend, it is time to know Jesus for real. Not just in name, but in relationship. Be a
blessing and be blessed today.
© Godly Woman 911™
