Photography compliments of Larry Lorimor.

I grew up in a family that held a Christian world view. Our small blue-law town affirmed it as well. Our schools were closed for Christmas break and Easter break starting with Good Friday. All the shops were closed on Sundays. It made embracing the Easter Story normal, easy. With child-like faith, I accepted it without questions. It shaped me and readied me.

As an adult who still holds fast to a Christian world view, what happened to that child-like faith? Will I always be content to adhere to “I believe, help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) The resurrection is big belief.

Paul prayed in Philippians 3 “that I may  know Him and the power of his resurrection,” (verse 10)

What was he asking?

According to D.A. Carson, knowledge of God entails fellowship, trust, personal relationship, faith. My ESV Bible footnotes calls it an intimate knowledge.

This knowing is not superficial. Truly I knew about Easter as a child. I knew the facts. God in his grace allowed me to believe. But my believing needed to grow to knowing? That came later.

My knowing is growing as I’m growing in trust.

Earlier in Philippians, Paul encourages the young church to hold fast to the word of life. Holding fast is a credible definition of trust. When I pray, God, what would it look like to trust you today? I’m asking, God what it would look like to hold fast to your word, the truth in the scripture. God’s daily whispers are growing my knowing.

“Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD;”
Hosea 6:3

“Indeed, I count everything as loss
because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Philippians 3:8

“Not that I have already obtained this … but I press on to make it my own,
because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
Philippians 3:12

Like Paul, like Hosea my heart is to press on in knowing Jesus and his surpassing worth. To press on in trusting the wonderful resurrection story. When I look at my own life, why would I not trust? I have experienced resurrection power. I’m sure you have too. Jesus has claimed us as his own.

Peter’s heart in our knowing God includes the great promise of grace and peace and all things that pertain to life and godliness. Godliness clings to truth. Trusting truth is knowing.

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has granted to us all things that that pertain to life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,”
II Peter 1:2, 3

My prayer for me, for you this Easter …

God, please grow our knowing.
Help us to press on in trust, to press on in knowing you.
May the power of your resurrection be our testimony, our knowing.
May the reality of grace and peace be multiplied to us
because we intimately know you. Amen.

“And this is eternal life, that they may know you
the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
John 17:3

 

Blessings to you all this Easter weekend! He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

 

All italics are mine.

Copyright, Sue Tell, March 2021