Know Him

December 21st, 2025

What kinds of questions do you ask to get to know someone you’ve just met? What do you really want to know about them? Suppose someone wants to get to know you better. They ask you to share a book or movie from the past that you enjoyed or had meaning for you. What do you want to share?

Hosea was a prophet in Old Testament times, and there is a book in the Bible named for him. In a poignant message of God’s enduring love, Hosea writes a simple yet profound truth:

Oh, that we might know the Lord!
Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
or the coming of rains in early spring. Hosea 6:3

As sure as the coming of rains in early spring. That’s something we can be pretty sure about, isn’t it? This verse encapsulates the essence of a vibrant, life-giving relationship with God: knowing Him intimately and pursuing Him relentlessly.

Think about the relationship between a parent and child. They know each other in many ways: voice, touch, eye contact, and love. Each, to one degree or another, even anticipates each other’s reactions. The relationship is one of joy! This is the relationship God desires with us and that we want to be a part of. This is an active, intentional pursuit. It's not passive or occasional. It's a daily, intentional effort to seek Him in prayer, study His Word, and obey His commands. It's like a hiker on a challenging trail – they may stumble, they may tire, but they keep their eyes on the goal, pressing forward with determination.

Hosea beautifully illustrates the rewards of this pursuit: "He will come to us like the rain." Just as rain nourishes the thirsty earth, God's presence refreshes our souls. We experience His peace, joy, and strength. "Like the spring rain watering the earth." Spring rain brings life, vitality and refreshment, transforming barren landscapes into fields of vibrant green. Similarly, God's presence transforms our lives, bringing spiritual fruitfulness and meaning to life.

Imagine a weary traveler in a desert. They long for water, for refreshment. They search diligently for an oasis, following any sign of water. When they finally reach a spring, they drink deeply, quenching their thirst and restoring their strength. Our souls also thirst for God. We diligently seek Him, yearning for His presence and the refreshment He alone can provide.
Knowing God and pursuing Him is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey. It requires consistent effort, unwavering commitment, and deep desire to know and grow in your relationship with Him. As we diligently seek Him, we will find that He is faithful to meet us, to refresh us, and to guide us on the path of life, and to eternity in His presence.

4832 Ponderings:

What seem to be effective ways for you in your pursuit of God?
Is there a missing part to that pursuit, like Bible study, prayer, worship, interaction with other believers? Ask God to provide opportunities and the confidence and faith to step into them.

Closing Prayer:
Father in heaven, I want to know you more. Guide me into the study and influence of Your Word. Light my path in the way I should go and the ways I should be investing myself for Your purpose and glory. Help us to remember that Jesus has said, “I am the Way the Truth and the Life.”