“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection…” — Philippians 3:10 (KJV)
There is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God.
Paul was accomplished, educated, experienced, and deeply spiritual. Yet his greatest desire remained:
“That I may know him…”
— Philippians 3:10 (KJV)
Christianity is ultimately not about information concerning Christ, but a personal and growing encounter with Christ.
NAAMAN: “NOW I KNOW”
Naaman was powerful, respected, and successful—but he was a leper. His position could command armies, but it could not command his healing.
God brought him to Jordan, where pride had to surrender to obedience. When Naaman dipped himself seven times as instructed, he was completely healed.
But something greater than healing happened. Naaman declared:
“Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel.”
— 2 Kings 5:15 (KJV)
“Now I know.”
Before Jordan, Naaman had heard about God. After Jordan, he encountered God for himself.
His affliction became the doorway to revelation.
HOW DO YOU KNOW HIM?
Naaman knew Him through healing.
Abraham knew Him as Provider.
David knew Him as Shepherd and Deliverer.
Daniel knew Him as the God who shuts the mouths of lions.
The three Hebrew men knew Him in the fire.
Job moved from second-hand knowledge to personal encounter:
“I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.”
— Job 42:5 (KJV)
The question, therefore, is not merely, “What have you heard about God?”
It is:
DO YOU REALLY KNOW HIM?
Do you know Him only through another person’s testimony, or have you encountered Him for yourself?
Perhaps you came to know Him as Provider because you experienced lack; as Comforter because you passed through sorrow; as Deliverer because you faced impossibility; or as Healer because sickness confronted you.
Sometimes the difficult seasons we desperately want God to remove become the very places where God reveals Himself most deeply to us.
BEYOND HIS HAND—KNOW HIS HEART
There is, however, a deeper knowledge of God.
If we know Him only when He performs miracles, answers immediately, or gives us what we desire, our knowledge remains incomplete.
Paul wanted more than God’s blessings. He wanted God Himself.
“That I may know him…”
The highest pursuit of the Christian life is not merely to know His provision, protection, healing, or power, but to know His Person and His heart.
So today, ask yourself:
Do I know about Him—or do I know Him?
Naaman could say, “Now I know.”
Job could say, “Now mine eye seeth thee.”
Paul continued to cry, “That I may know him.”
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, take me beyond information into revelation, beyond religion into relationship, and beyond merely seeking Your hand into knowing Your heart. Reveal Yourself to me through Your Word, prayer, obedience, and every season of my life. May my deepest desire always be: “That I may know Him.” Amen.
REFLECTION
What experience in your life has revealed a dimension of God that you previously only knew about?
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” — John 17:3 (KJV)