Knowing a God Who Sings by Monty Sholund

From the November 2006 Philogian

One is always greatly challenged by the vast impact the Apostle Paul's life has had on humanity, perhaps second only to Christ's  One can benefit greatly by examining such a life systematically and comprehensively, to note what was the emphasis which he made to grasp so fully the provision of God.

I have pondered these qualities and believe they cluster around one main passion.  We encounter reference to this passion numerous times in Paul's writings but perhaps most strongly in Philippians 3:7-10, "Whatever was to my profit I now consider as nothing for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of KNOWING Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him... I want to KNOW Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death..."

Will you ponder those verses for a few moments, my Friend, for they hold the key to spiritual authority, obedience, growth and effective ministry.  Paul puts it so succinctly by simply asserting "I want to KNOW Christ!!"   He's not primarily interested in knowing about Christ, or about the various views concerning Christ; he wants simply to KNOW Christ.

Now one gets to know someone in several ways: by living with him, by talking with him, by probing life issues with him and by responding to him as mentor obediently and eagerly.  I have pored over this matter, seeking some concise descriptions regarding the person and nature of the Lord and want to share what has become one of the most important verses of my life.   The verse is a simple but profound statement in Zephaniah 3:17, a passage which enables us to know God in certain prominent characteristics.  I quote the verse here, since it is so seminal and significant:  "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing".  And the verse contains four descriptions of the Lord, which help me to know Him.

1.  HIS PRESENCE.  As one studies both Old and New Testaments you encounter this vast promise from the Lord, "Be not afraid, for I am with you".  We read this in Isaiah 43:2, 5 for example.  We know of course that God is omnipresent throughout the universe, but this phrase refers to an intimate personal relationship, which transcends any other.  Grasp this key to spiritual blessing, when perhaps you find yourself alone or in jeopardy.  And Christ's final assertion  at the very end of the New Testament is a similar promise, "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20)  What more could one ever want, a promise like this from the Creator of all things to us, small creatures dwelling often in obscurity, even lacking security.  HE IS WITH US.

2.  HIS POWER.   We read that He is mighty to save, mighty to redeem us from the bondage of sin's power, mighty to take us, weak as we are and to transform us in instruments of authority and effectiveness.  We even have that great promise in Acts 1:8, "You shall receive power when the Holy Ghost is come upon you.  Going, therefore into all the world as witnesses to share the Gospel."  This is the banner under which we serve in every aspect of life, secular and spiritual, personal and public.  He is able not only to choose us but to enable us with His very own power, and He thus claims the power and the glory.

3.  HIS PEACE.  It's so impressive how Paul opens up several of his letters with the greeting "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:2, etc.)  And in Philippians 4:7 he prays, "And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  And here in Zephaniah we read that He quiets us with His love.  He is a God of power which he showers on us with love and peace.  What a privilege to know such a God who works wonders beyond our understanding, in love bringing peace.

4.  HIS PLEASURE.  Twice in this single verse we read how God delights in our fellowship with Him.  "He will take great delight in you...He will rejoice over you with singing."  I am sure you as a Lover of the Word, have thought of so many other verses for each of these four characteristics of the Lord.  I love Philippians 2:13 where we read that God is at work in you and me both to will and to do of His good pleasure.  To think that I am able to bring Jesus joy by my obedient, eager partnership is a miracle indeed, and the truth of it is a great incentive to so live that every moment is filled with that which brings Him pleasure.  To be reminded that when I live His way, God begins to sing dumbfounds me but also brings me such encouragement.

It is a blessing to review some of the great music of Christmas to which Max is making reference in this Philogian.  One could revel in the frequency in which music occurs in the Scriptures.  It is God's great gift to us, a means by which we can express our faith, our hope and our love for Him in a very special way.  And then to think that the God of the universe, from whom come all things and for whom all things exist finds a reason to begin singing over you and me is one of the wonders of our getting to KNOW Him.  May we continue faithfully to review these characteristics of God, whom to know is life eternal. 

"The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him, but you know him, for He lives with you and will be in you." (John 14:17)  Oh, let's always give God the glory, as He sings His delight in us.  Hallelujah!!