{"id":29022,"date":"2021-10-20T21:29:31","date_gmt":"2021-10-21T01:29:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=29022"},"modified":"2021-10-21T07:41:33","modified_gmt":"2021-10-21T11:41:33","slug":"worship-wednesday-being-known-by-god-himself-find-you-here-ellie-holcomb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=29022","title":{"rendered":"Worship Wednesday – Being Known by God Himself – “Find You Here” – Ellie Holcomb"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Photo Credit: Knowing Jesus<\/a><\/p>\n

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble,<\/em>
\nand He knows those who take refuge in Him<\/strong>.<\/em> – Nahum 1:7<\/a><\/p>\n

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me<\/em>…My sheep hear My voice, and I know them<\/strong>, and they follow Me.” <\/em>– Jesus – John 10:14<\/a>; John 10:27<\/a><\/p>\n

We know that “All of us possess knowledge”. This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know, but if anyone loves God, he is known by God<\/strong>.<\/em> – 1 Corinthians 8:1b-3<\/a><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, \u201cThe Lord knows those who are His.\u201d<\/strong> – <\/em>2 Timothy 2:19<\/a>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

We long to be known. Truly known. Sought after. Pursued. Loved. I’m pretty sure this longing originated from God Himself, placed in our minds from the beginning. When God created Adam and Eve, they were both “naked and unashamed”<\/a>. Before God and each other. When sin entered the picture, so did shame. They tried to hide but could not. God came looking for them. He knew them, and He knew they could choose sin, rebellion, at any time. He knew them, and He loved them still. Completely. He covered their nakedness, dealt with their sin, and made a way for them to be restored back to Him.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: St. Augustine, Slideplayer<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We are filled with gratitude for the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. What a profound experience not just to know God but to be known by Him. The God of the universe. The Creator and Sustainer of all of life. This “being known” and loved still…amazing grace!<\/p>\n

One of the most frightening passages<\/a> in the Bible is found in Matthew. Jesus is preaching and he describes some who are would-be believers. People who are attracted to God, who even serve God and others as if they were believers, but have never truly received His salvation and lordship through Jesus Christ. They do not know Him, and therefore are not known by Him. Terrifying.<\/p>\n

“Many will say to Me on that day, \u2018Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?\u2019\u00a0 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me<\/strong>, you workers of lawlessness!’ \u201d<\/em> – Jesus – Matthew 7:22-23<\/a><\/p>\n

To be known by God is to experience His love in every circumstance of our lives. No matter how hard or hurtful our situation may be, we will find God there…with us. If this is not your experience, then wrestle out what that means. Is it the mean deceit of the Evil One that makes us think we know God when we only know of Him? Or is there some sense of entitlement we might have toward sin or an unrighteous relationship, elevating that above God? Or is it an arrogance on our part that we view ourselves as “good enough” while God sees us either dead in sin [rather than righteous and a new creation through His Son’s redeeming work on our behalf]?<\/p>\n

If you’re struggling right now to walk with God, sort out what’s going on. Is it a spiritual attack of some kind that you’re meant to endure as you bring it to God, or is it possibly the fact that you do not truly know God…and are not known by Him? Because you choose being separate from Him. God will not impose Himself on us, yet He ever draws us to Him.<\/p>\n

Three times in my life I felt compelled to seek God’s face on the question of whether I truly knew Him. Once as a 15 y\/o, another time in my mid-20s and, a final time, in my mid-30s<\/a>. All three times, I questioned my salvation. He comforted me and gave me peace all three of those times. Especially the last time. I have not questioned knowing Him or being known by Him since then.<\/p>\n

Do not be lulled to sleep by a false sense of belonging to God when you have never fully given your life to Him.<\/strong> Remember His words:<\/p>\n

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me.”<\/em> – Jesus…My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.<\/strong>” <\/em>– John 10:14<\/a>; John 10:27<\/a><\/p>\n

Singer\/songwriter Ellie Holcomb<\/a> wrote the beautiful “Find You Here”<\/em> in response to hearing her dad (Brown Bannister) had been diagnosed with cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Worship<\/a> with me (lyrics in link).<\/p>\n

It’s not the news that any of us hoped that we would hear
\nIt’s not the road we would have chosen, no
\nThe only thing that we can see is darkness up ahead
\nBut You’re asking us to lay our worry down and sing a song instead<\/p>\n

And I didn’t know I’d find You here
\nIn the middle of my deepest fear, but
\nYou are drawing near
\nYou are overwhelming me, with peace
\nSo I’ll lift my voice and sing
\nYou’re gonna carry us through everything
\nYou are drawing near
\nYou’re overwhelming all my fears, with peace<\/p>\n

You say that I should come to You with everything I need
\nYou’re asking me to thank You even when the pain is deep
\nYou promise that You’ll come and meet us on the road ahead
\nAnd no matter what the fear says, You give me a reason to be glad<\/p>\n

And I didn’t know I’d find You here
\nIn the middle of my deepest fear, but
\nYou are drawing near
\nYou are overwhelming me, with peace
\nSo I’ll lift my voice and sing
\nYou’re gonna carry me through everything
\nYou are drawing near
\nYou’re overwhelming all my fear<\/p>\n

Here in the middle of the lonely night
\nHere in the middle of the losing fight, You’re
\nHere in the middle of the deep regret
\nHere when the healing hasn’t happened yet
\nHere in the middle of the desert place
\nHere in the middle when I cannot see Your face
\nHere in the middle with Your outstretched arms
\nYou can see my pain and it breaks Your heart<\/p>\n

And I didn’t know I’d find You here
\nIn the middle of my deepest fear, but
\nYou are drawing near
\nYou are overwhelming me with, peace
\nSo I’ll lift my voice and sing
\nYou’re gonna carry me through everything
\nYou are drawing near
\nYou’re overwhelming all my fear with peace<\/p>\n

Rejoice, rejoice
\nDon’t have to worry ’bout a single thing, ’cause
\nYou are overwhelming me with, peace!
\nDon’t have to worry ’bout a single thing
\nYou’re gonna carry us through everything
\nOverwhelming peace*<\/p>\n

This beautiful God who knows us – our longings, our fears, our struggles, our tears. He knows us and loves us deeply…and we have the incomprehensible privilege of knowing and loving Him back.<\/strong><\/p>\n

*Lyrics to “Find You Here” by Songwriters Benji Cowart, Ellie Holcomb, and Rusty Varenkamp <\/a><\/p>\n