This is life eternal, that they might know Thee.
—John 17:3
The knowledge of God is absolutely necessary for the spiritual life. It is eternal life. It is not the intellectual knowledge we receive from others, or through our own powers of thought, but the living, experiential knowledge in which God makes Himself known to the soul. Just as the rays of the sun on a cold winter’s day warm the body, imparting its heat to us, so the living God sheds the life‑giving rays of His holiness and love into the heart of one who waits on Him.
Why do we so seldom experience this life‑giving power of the true knowledge of God? Because we do not give God enough time to reveal Himself to us. When we pray, we think we know well enough how to speak to God. And we forget that one of the very first things in prayer is to be silent before God, so that He may reveal Himself. By His hidden but mighty power, God will manifest His presence, resting on us and working in us. To know God in the personal experience of His presence and love is life indeed.
Brother Lawrence, author of The Practice of the Presence of God, had a great longing to know God, and for this purpose went into a monastery. His spiritual advisers gave him prayer books to use, but he put them aside. “It helps little to pray,” he said, “if I do not know the God to whom I pray.” Brother Lawrence remained in silent adoration for a long time in order to come under the presence of this great and holy Being. He continued in this practice until, later, he lived consciously and constantly in God’s presence and experienced His blessed nearness and keeping power. Just as the sun rising each morning is the pledge of light throughout the day, so the quiet time of waiting upon God will be the pledge of His presence and His power abiding with us all day long. Be sure that the Sun has risen upon your soul.
Learn this great lesson: as the sun on a cold day shines on us and imparts its warmth, believe that the living God will work in you with His love and almighty power. God will reveal Himself as life and light and joy and strength to the soul who waits upon Him.
“Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us” (Psalm 4:6).
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).