FOR I KNOW HIM...GEN. 18:19

"FOR I KNOW HIM"...GEN. 18:19

Reports of the gross iniquity of a Sodom and Gomorrah reached the Lord making Him to send out angels for the utter destruction of the land and it's people (Gen. 18:20-21). These angels were on their journey to carry out this purging assignment and they were intercepted by the very hospitable Abraham who not knowing who or what they were begged them to stay a little while with him while he washed their feet and made a quick meal for them to be refreshed with as they continued their journey.

The angels ate and blessed Abraham declaring that by the time of life, his wife Sarah would bear a child, a feat Sarah herself thought was very impossible because of her age and that of her husband Abraham but seeing that the word of GOD must come to pass, she got pregnant and gave birth to the son of promise - Isaac.

These angels were about turning to leave Abraham's residence to perfect the annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrah, when they stopped in their tracks and said that GOD would not do anything without declaring it to His friends (Gen. 18:17) and in this case, Abraham had walked with GOD to such a close extent that GOD could call him friend.

The major pull out from this story from which I would really like to base this write up is the part in Genesis 18:19 which quotes, "FOR I KNOW HIM, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him."

Abraham had been programmed of GOD to be a great man, a Father of Nations, with his seed spread wide across the entire earth, infact through his lineage, the saviour of the world - JESUS CHRIST was to be born. At the time of this confession by GOD, Abraham was still without the promised child that the Lord was going to fulfil the promises made to him but still the Lord knew that he would be able to guide his family and children in the way of the Lord. Now this qualification didn't just come as a fluke but Abraham had had a good track record of walking with the Lord. (Gen.12)

Jeremiah 1:5..."Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Long before Jeremiah was formed in his mother's womb, the Lord had called him a prophet, even before his parents had been able to hold him in their hands or even send him through literate training, GOD had already commissioned him His messenger to the nations. Now it remains safe to say that though Jeremiah has already had his life scheduleset out for him even before he ever knew his left from right, he still had the prerogative to decide to do whatever he liked to do. When GOD called him, he could have just simply ignored the call and go his own way like Jonah initially did, but it was the wisest decision he could have ever take to go the way of the plan of GOD for him.

In the eternal plan and purpose of GOD for Jeremiah, he was supposed to be GOD'S messenger to the nations. This was the way GOD knew him and thankfully he stayed the course and didn't deviate to create another identity for himself, something which would compulsorily lead to disaster and non fulfilment of Destiny. Abraham walked with GOD so much that GOD thought of informing him before the huge task of destroying Sodom and Gomorrah because He knew that Abraham would direct his sons and family in the way of the Lord. This path Abraham walked also in the position that GOD placed him as we are still able to claim Abraham's blessings today which were resultant from him teaching his sons the way of the Lord.

What has the Lord called you to be? What position has He known you to be? Are you still there or you have intelligently carved out an enticing niche for yourself to operate in? Does He know you? You are called a teacher of the gospel, you preferred to teach Chemistry. An evangelist but you prefer to be the sales rep of a very reputable multinational? Could the Lord confidently say of you, "I KNOW HIM"? Would you not throw those words back to His face and make Him a liar for ever calling you or believing that you would deliver?

Galatians 4:9...But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?

Abraham remained faithful. He trusted the promises of GOD towards him. He never wavered in his hope. He remained steadfast up to the point that even when he was asked to go sacrifice the long awaited son, he didn't refuse but was sure GOD would come through on His promises as He always does.

One would ask the question, Who are those who GOD knows? 1 Corinthians 8:3 helps to answer that by saying "but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him". Loving the Lord is a huge factor to coming within the fold of the FATHER. What does it mean to love the Lord? John. 14:15 says "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Keeping the commandments/instructions/guidelines of the Lord shows that you love Him so much as not to disobey His will for you and these are the category of them whom the Lord knows as His own.

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." 2 Timothy 2:19.

As a means of conclusion, please know that "To know GOD is consequently the same as He knowing you" John 10:14, 27. Knowing GOD I should say at this point is totally entirely different from knowing of/about Him. Knowing of/about Him means you have some form of knowledge derived from hearing about Him from various media sources, evangelisms, church services etc but not ever getting to know the person of GOD whom you hear from all these varying sources. To know GOD is to have a personal relationship with Him, speaking with Him and having to listen whenever He speaks in return.

Also know this today that GOD loves you and He wants to know you, you can't really be too busy to let a little time aside to meet with He who alone can show you what your life was really intended to be. Reach out to Him today if you haven't yet come into this family of GOD by saying this prayer with me. "Dear Lord, I thank You for Your love for me, despite how far away I have fallen, Your love still stretches deeper to draw me to yourself. I believe that You died for me on the cross of Calvary and I today forsake the life and nature of sin and henceforth receive eternal life that You alone can give. Thank You JESUS."

GOD BLESS YOU.