Have you ever considered the names of God? When we get to know someone, it usually starts with finding out what their name is. Is it any different with God? I’m so excited to dive into getting to know God personally and sharing an awesome 5-day challenge with you!
This post was inspired by Hannah in the bible. Her story is found in 1 Samuel 1 in which she was longing and praying for a child for many years. At this point in the story, she was becoming discouraged and bitter.
“Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD. And she made this vow, “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you.” 1 Samuel 1:10-11
In due time, “the Lord remembered her plea,” (v19) and she gave birth to a son that she named Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.” (v20)
In keeping her promises, when Samuel was three years old she returned to the Tabernacle and gave him to Eli, a High priest, judge of Israel. He was to be brought up and dedicated to God for lifetime service to serve in the house of the Lord.
To Eli she said, “I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there. Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD! The LORD has made me strong!” (1 Samuel 1: 27-2:1)
It goes on into a beautiful prayer of praise that you can further read in your bible, but I’m convinced the only way Hannah could give back her child that she longed and desperately prayed for is because she knew God personally and grew to trust Him completely.
Getting To Know God
When it comes to getting to know God, let’s start with His name. He happens to have many names but I wanted to share 5 with you today.
When we get to know God through the bible, we realize he has many names to describe Himself and reveal His character to us.
Hannah even addressed him by name, “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies” as she began to pray to God. So, that will be our first name for getting to know God better.
Getting to Know God as Jehovah Sabaoth
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies or The Lord of Hosts.
I personally, LOVE this name because it describes God’s great might, authority, and power. We can cry out to Jehovah Sabaoth for protection and He is always the victor, leading all in the spiritual realm.
Getting to Know God as El Shaddai
The Almighty All-Sufficient God.
Our great El Shaddai is more than sufficient to meet any need. He is the all-sufficient God! To consider the magnitude of His sufficiency could consume your thoughts for days.
Where we fail, He is able.
Where we are weak, He sustains.
Where we are lacking, He is more than enough.
Getting to Know God as El Elyon
The God Most High.
We live under the protection of El Elyon. This article from Crosswalk.com gives a great piece on the God Most High explaining His significance in majesty, and sovereignty. There is nothing greater than God Most High. To get to know God in His majesty and sovereignty can only humble us!
Getting to Know God as Jehovah Jireh
The Lord Will Provide.
Our Jehovah Jireh is willing and able to meet every need. So much that He provided His precious son to save us from the torment of His wrath when we receive God’s gift of forgiveness by faith. Our Provider.
Getting to Know God as Elohim
Creator.
Our Creator designed us uniquely and beautifully in His image and knows us intimately. He created and sustains the world, and gives breath to life around us through creation.
Let them all praise the name of the Lord. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven!
Psalm 148:13
What does the bible say about getting to know God?
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
Why don’t we run to the arms of our all-sufficient God? I think it’s because most of us don’t really know our God.
– Kay Arthur
Knowing God vs. Knowing About God
When it comes to getting to know God personally, there’s a gigantic difference between knowing God and knowing about God. From the story of Hannah earlier, if she only knew about God, she would not have been able to pray a prayer of PRAISE rejoicing in the Lord after dedicating her son to him.
She knew God intimately and had confidence in his sovereignty. This is only built through relationships and through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.
Getting to know God better takes intention. As with anyone else, the relationship needs to be cultivated to prosper. One thing that is so inviting about God is that He is always there, at the ready waiting for us. He never leaves us, turns his back on us, or abandons us.
He’s the friend that always shows up no matter the hour or situation. And certainly, as we’ve mentioned earlier, God is much more than a friend!
How can I get to know God better?
John 14:6 tells us, “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.”
- Faith in Jesus and receiving the very Good News of the gospel.
- Reading the Bible.
- Having a daily quiet time.
- Studying the Bible.
- Spending time with God.
- Through Prayer.
Read through the steps above as a guide. We’re growing to know the God of the universe little by little. It will take time, intention, and prioritizing.
As we grow to know Him, we will recognize Him more and more weaving and orchestrating our day. We’ll recognize His fingerprints, better know His voice, rely on Him more, grow in hope and confidence, and trust Him in the details of life.
Getting to Know God through prayer
Getting to know God through the bible and prayer are powerful places to start. Often times our prayers may be a last resort, petition for something we need, or maybe a confession or two when we’ve really “messed up”. Do we pray to adore and thank God alone?
Hannah’s prayer rejoiced in the Lord! She praised Him for who He is and what He does. When we are taking the time and getting to know God through prayer, we praise and honor Him for…Him.
She was able to pray a prayer of praise because she knew God personally and intimately.
As we get to know God more by praying, our prayers evolve in delighting in Him, trusting Him, and worshiping Him.
Daily Seeking To Know God
The most outrageously beautiful and life-altering experience is getting to know God personally. There is nothing that even compares to knowing God more and more. Each morning when the sun comes up and He proves His faithfulness again, we have a personal invitation to get to know Him.
I’m so excited to share this 5-Day Challenge with you so that you can do just that! Accept His invitation and begin the journey of knowing God personally!
Each day will include one of the names of God from above, passages that coordinate to His name in the bible, and a time for prayer. This will help kick-start the greatest adventure of your life of better knowing God!
Click to download >> Getting to Know God Challenge
This was a timely post for me! 🙂 Just this week the idea of knowing of God vs knowing God has been stirring inside me. It can often feel easier to know of Him than to truly get to know Him. So many great points here! 🙂
Hey Lauren! It’s been the exact same way for me! I came across Isaiah 43:10 and it’s been on repeat in my mind. I love how God’s always inviting us in to know Him better! Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!! I hope you are well!