ODJ: known by God

November 3, 2015 

READ: Galatians 4:8-12 

Before you . . . knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist (v.8).

In 1996 I was a press manager for the Olympic Village, home to athletes from 192 countries who were competing in the Atlanta Games. One of my responsibilities was to escort heads of state and Hollywood celebrities through the village so they could mingle with the Olympians.

I recall the night the other press officers and I escorted more than 40 celebrities into the village for a special event. All was going well until a couple standing next to me began shouting, “Why aren’t the cameras on us? Don’t you people know who we are?”

I didn’t know who the couple was nor did most of the world at the time. A few years later, however, they—along with their children—landed their own reality show and got to be known by the masses as they had desired.

God knows us, but do we truly know Him? Jesus said, “This is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth” (John 17:3). But many people today have a different view—that it’s more important to know and be known by others than it is to know and be known by our Creator.

As the apostle Paul helped the Galatian church cling to their newfound faith, he addressed this issue, writing, “Now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?” (Galatians 4:9). In other words, God alone provides what truly satisfies.

Some may choose to seek their own fame, but there’s something far greater. God calls us to “truly know [Him] and understand that [He is] the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:24). May we turn to Him today and experience the joy and life found in His presence.

—Roxanne Robbins

365-day-plan: Acts 17:1-15

MORE
Read Philippians 1:9-11 and consider what Paul reveals about the importance of knowing and understanding God and His ways. 
NEXT
How can human praise cause us to take our eyes off God? What does it mean for you to know and be known by Him?