The Importance of Knowing
A Norvell Note Vol. 20 No. 34 | August 20, 2018
What is it like for you when you are not ‘in the know’?
You are on group message and you realize that you’ve missed a part of the conversation and have no idea what the others are talking about.
You are the new member of a team. You don’t know the inside jokes or understand the historical references.
You are in a meeting and stepped away for a moment. When you come back, the conversation has shifted and you’re clueless about the topic being discussed.
You walk up to a group of friends who are engaged in a lively conversation. You stand awkwardly by them for several minutes totally unaware of what they’re laughing about…wishing you could be included.
You are new to the neighborhood and unfamiliar with the community services and organizations. What is the system for garbage pickup? Who has the best internet service? Are there any reputable and affordable mechanics, local cleaners, and lawn care professionals? What is the best donut place? What coffee shop has the best coffee?
Until you are there for a while, you don’t know. You’re dependent on neighbors, friends, and community veterans to get answers to your questions.
Not knowing is hard. It can make you feel alone and isolated. It can be confusing, frustrating, and even dangerous. Even if it is not essential for you to know, you still want to.
Some prefer not to know the evil things that go on in the world. Some say ignorance is bliss and believe if you ignore problems, they will take care of themselves. But that rarely happens. So, I prefer to know.
I have often thought about how Job in the Old Testament must have felt when he became the subject of Satan’s cruel game. “Why is this happening? What am I supposed to do and feel as I watch everything important to me crumble? God, I don’t know what is going on, but I trust You.”
In the end Job still didn’t completely understand everything that had happened to him, but he did learn more clearly that God is aware of everything that happens to us, is loving and kind, and does not need our opinion on how he handles the events of life on the earth.
God understands our needs and desire to know about the important things in life. In John 14, Jesus said this:
“You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (4-7)
In chapter 16, verse 33 he said:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
And then in chapter 17, verse 3:
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
It seems to be that the whole purpose of God sending His Son to earth was so we could know Him. God wants us to know Him. “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.”
There are many things you may never know. Many of them are of no consequence. But there other things that you need to know or you will be missing out. Not knowing God is one of those important things. In fact, there is nothing more important.
I hope you know Him. If you do know Him, I hope you are growing in your knowledge of Him. If you do not know Him, I hope you will come to know Him. If I can help with that, please let me know.
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
Listen: Jesus Let Us Come to Know You
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A Norvell Note Vol. 20 No. 33 | August 13, 2018
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”[1]
I have read and sung those words hundreds of times and they never get old. I suppose it would be impossible for them to get old based on the truth stated in them…
“His mercies never come to end; they are new every morning.”
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.” The Lord’s love is steadfast. That means it is solid, strong, and consistent. The Lord’s love never ceases. In relationships we have to be careful with the word never. “You never say you love me.” “You never show me respect.” Using the word in those situations help make a strong point, but it is likely not accurate and puts the other person in a no-win situation.
When the Lord says, “My steadfast love for you never ceases.” He means it never ceases. We may do some crazy, knuckle-head, awful things, but His love for us never ceases. We may act selfish, unkind, and unmerciful, but His love for us never ceases. But we can carry that thought as we go through the day, when we lay our head on our pillow at night…The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
And if we need a little more assurance, we can add these words:
“Great is your faithfulness.” His faithfulness, not mine. “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.”
Every morning we have a new supply of mercies from God. His mercies, compassions, kindnesses, sympathies, and generosities never come to an end. Every morning we wake up to the reality that God still loves us, and He has a never-ending supply of mercies. We must strive to start our day with that thought, and it might change the way we move through our day.
The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is my everything, my all, He is all I need. How could I ask for more? Because of who He is, I would put my hope in Him. He will love me with an eternal love, greet me every day with an endless supply of mercy, and show me that He is all I need, so naturally He is where I will hope.
You may recognize the reality of these truths this week when you…
…randomly run into a friend from another city while you are out to dinner.
…wake up in the morning to the comfort and familiarity of your home…on and on…
…hear the laughter of a child.
…listen to the falling rain.
…take a breath…then another.
Whenever and wherever you experience them, thank Him for His mercies that are new every morning.
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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2018 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved
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[1] Lamentations 3:22-24, New Revised Standard