The God You May Not Know
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
Let’s start with a question—have you ever felt like you’re doing all the “right” Christian things, but feel like God is still somehow … distant?
You go to church. You read your Bible. You even pray before meals or when things get tough. But deep down, there’s this quiet question: Isn’t there supposed to be more to this? Shouldn’t I feel closer to God than I do?
You’re not alone. So many believers today know about God without really knowing Him. And that’s what this week’s devotional is all about—the God you may not know, but can know. The God who wants more than belief—He wants relationship.
From Head Knowledge to Heart Encounter
A lot of us inherit our understanding of God from others—parents, pastors, Sunday school teachers. And that’s not bad. It gives us a foundation. But at some point, we have to go from knowing God through someone else’s lens to experiencing Him for ourselves.
There’s a verse in Job that hits this right on the nose. Job says, “My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:5). That’s a shift—from hearing about God to encountering Him. From secondhand faith to firsthand experience.
Eternal life isn’t just about getting to heaven. It’s about knowing God—right now, in this life. Jesus even said, “Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” (John 17:3).
Moses Wanted More
One of my favorite stories is in Exodus 33. Moses is leading the Israelites through the wilderness—he’s seen miracles, he’s spoken with God—but still, he says, “God, if Your presence doesn’t go with us, don’t send us anywhere.” Think about that. Moses wasn’t satisfied with God’s blessings or even His direction—he wanted God Himself.
And God responded with something beautiful. He said, “I will do the very thing you asked… because I know you by name” (Exodus 33:17). That’s not a distant, formal God—that’s intimate, personal, relational.
And that’s the God who’s still speaking today. The question is: Are we listening?
Real Encounters in Real Life
God is still showing up in the lives of everyday people. Maybe not in burning bushes or parting seas—but He’s showing up in hospital rooms, in jail cells, in living rooms late at night when someone’s crying out, “God, where are You?”
I think of the man who lost his home in a flood. Everything gone. And yet standing in the mud, he lifted his hands and said, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away—blessed be His name.” That kind of peace? That kind of faith? It doesn’t come from head knowledge. It comes from knowing God personally—experiencing Him in the fire and still trusting that He’s good.
Or a young woman who had battled addiction for years. She said the turning point wasn’t a sermon or a rehab program. It was one quiet moment alone when she whispered, “God, I can’t do this,” and felt—really felt—peace wash over her. That’s not theology. That’s encounter.
Why We Miss Him Sometimes
So why don’t more people have these kinds of experiences with God?
Sometimes, it’s because we treat faith like a checklist. You know the drill: Go to church. Read a chapter. Say a prayer. Be nice. Rinse and repeat. But God isn’t looking for routine—He’s looking for relationship.
And honestly? Sometimes we’re afraid. What if getting closer to God means He’ll ask more of me than I want to give? What if He sees all the junk I’m trying to hide? But friends, He already sees it. And He still wants you close.
James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” That’s not a trap—it’s a promise.
Making Room for God
If you’re hungry to know God more—really know Him—here are a few simple ways to open the door:
- Be Still. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Stillness is hard in a noisy world. But silence makes space for His voice.
- Be Honest. You don’t have to fake it with God. The Psalms are full of raw emotion. Pour out your heart. He can handle it.
- Be Obedient. Jesus said, “Whoever obeys me is the one who loves me… and I will show myself to them” (John 14:21). Sometimes obedience unlocks deeper intimacy.
- Be Expectant. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Go after Him like He’s worth finding—because He is.
The God Who Knows You
At the end of the day, the God you may not know is the God who already knows you. He knows your name. He knows your story. And He wants more than your church attendance—He wants your heart.
He’s not just the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He’s the God of you. He wants to walk with you, talk with you, be your peace when life unravels and your joy when nothing else makes sense.
So don’t settle for knowing about God. Press in. Be still. Be honest. Be open. The God you may not know is closer than you think—and He’s been waiting to be known by you.
Let this be the season where you stop knowing about God—and start truly knowing God. The One who knows your name is waiting.
Father,
I want more than a surface faith. I want to know You. Not just in theory—but in experience. Speak to me. Walk with me. Change me. Let me know the God I’ve only heard about.
In Christ’s Name,
Amen
May God continuously lead your path