“For this [very] night there stood by my side an angel of the God to Whom I belong and Whom I serve and worship.” Acts 27:23
Apostle Paul was travelling under armed escorts to Rome to present his case before the Caesar for judgement. However, the journey was proving to be quite an adventure and it seemed that they just might not make it. The weather was so contrary that his fellow travellers despairingly gave up eating and on life itself. Their hope had seeped away, as they resigned themselves to inescapable death by drowning.
That same thought might have crossed Paul’s mind, but he didn’t dwell too much on it because God had, in His original mandate, assured him that he would stand before Caesar, who was based in the Roman capital. So, he waited to see what God would do to get him out of this pickle. True to form, God sent an angel to reiterate His plan for Paul’s life that he would not die a watery death but live to glorify His name. On the basis of God’s word to Paul that night, he stood up and boldly addressed the people, assuring them that not one life would be lost, although the ship and its content would be lost to the sea. Ultimately, Paul was proved right and God’s name glorified.
So, what gave Paul the boldness to publicly predict such an unlikely outcome? It was because Paul knew the God to Whom he belonged and served. The bible assures us that those who know their God shall be strong and shall do exploits in His Name. Therefore, the degree of your knowledge of God determines the extent to which you can serve Him. To serve Him well, you have to know Him well. However, it doesn’t just end there, for you also have to know yourself, His plans for your life, as well as understand that the devil would do all in his power to prevent your effort at realising your God-given objective of serving the Lord.
Your knowledge of God gives you an understanding of His character and exposes you to the reality of His power. It enables you to live a victorious Christian life and gives you the solid foundation you require and on which to base your service. Knowing Whom you serve and to Whom you belong gives confidence to face life’s difficulties and prevail because we know that the God we serve cannot fail and will not change. This is the principal reason why Paul said, “That I might know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering, being made conformable onto His death” Phil 3:10
Know God, and you would cease to serve Him in ignorance and will also realise your potential through Christ. Know Him and the world will know Him through you, for to know Him is to be known by Him. It enables your light to brightly shine in the world’s darkness and those needing His help will be drawn to Him through you the way a moth is drawn to a flame. Only this time, the final result is salvation and not fatal attraction.
Prayer:
Lord, like Moses, I pray, show me your glory. Let me know you, for then I will see and serve you and your name will be glorified through me. This I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.