Benefits of Knowing God
Daniel 11:32
"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."
When you say you know someone, you are inferring that you have developed a relationship with them. It is more than just a casual acquaintance that we are talking about, but we are talking about knowing someone because you have spent time with them. By knowing them, you are familiar with their likes and dislikes, you are familiar with their character, you understand and comprehend what they are saying and doing because you have spent personal time with them.
I would say that I know my wife and daughter. I know them because I spend time with them. Other than God, I would think that I understand them the best because I live with them. So, when I say I know my wife and daughter, I am saying I have developed such a relationship with them that I understand their likes and dislikes, their character, and understand what they are about.
In the verse above God says, "...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." Knowing God will only be accomplished by spending time with Him. If someone were to ask me what I feel is one of the greatest things that we lack in Christianity it is that people don't really know God. If they knew God, they would know what He likes and dislikes. If they knew God, they would be familiar with His character in that He is One Who will always be there for them to do what He says He will do. If they knew God, they would understand and comprehend what He says in His Word. If they knew God, they would understand His doings much more. The sad part is that most Christians just don't know God.
The reason many Christians don't know God is because they don't spend time with Him. Most Christians go throughout their day and never spend time reading His Word. You will never know God if you don't read His Word on a daily basis. Likewise, you can't know God if you don't spend time talking with Him. If the only time you talk to God is to ask Him to bless your food before you eat, then your knowledge of God is very shallow. Furthermore, if you know God you will meditate on Him on a regular basis. I contend that most Christians don't really know God, and that is why there are not many great works being accomplished. When a person knows God, there are two results, or benefits, to knowing Him.
First, they will be strong. The word "strong" is talking about being courageous. When a Christian truly knows God, they will be courageous for Him. They will be courageous because they know that He will be there for them to Help them do His work. When you know God, you will be amazed how stepping out by faith will not seem to be that hard. When people say they know God, but have a hard time stepping out by faith, then that tells me that their knowledge of God is very shallow. When you know God, your courage will be increased.
Second, they will do "exploits." This is talking about doing heroic acts. An exploit is David killing Goliath. An exploit is Gideon defeating the Midianite army. These men did these heroic acts because they knew God. When you know God, you will find that heroic acts will follow. Why do we not see many heroic acts in Christianity today? The reason is because there are so few Christians who really know God.
I ask you, do you really know God? If you do, then you will find that courage and heroic acts will be a part of your life. If you lack courage to do things for God, then I would encourage you to get to know God. A knowledge of God will build your courage, which will result in heroic acts.