Hi Brian!

This week I want to share again from Charles Spurgeon's  devotional.

"The people that do know their God shall be strong." — Daniel 11:32

Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best form of knowledge; and this spiritual knowledge is a source of strength to the Christian. It strengthens his faith. Believers are constantly spoken of in the Scriptures as being persons who are enlightened and taught of the Lord; they are said to "have an unction from the Holy One," and it is the Spirit's peculiar office to lead them into all truth, and all this for the increase and the fostering of their faith. Knowledge strengthens love, as well as faith. Knowledge opens the door, and then through that door we see our Saviour. Or, to use another similitude, knowledge paints the portrait of Jesus, and when we see that portrait then we love Him, we cannot love a Christ whom we do not know, at least, in some degree. If we know but little of the excellences of Jesus, what He has done for us, and what He is doing now, we cannot love Him much; but the more we know Him, the more we shall love Him. Knowledge also strengthens hope. How can we hope for a thing if we do not know of its existence? Hope may be the telescope, but till we receive instruction, our ignorance stands in the front of the glass, and we can see nothing whatever; knowledge removes the interposing object, and when we look through the bright optic glass we discern the glory to be revealed, and anticipate it with joyous confidence. Knowledge supplies us reasons for patience. How shall we have patience unless we know something of the sympathy of Christ, and understand the good which is to come out of the correction which our heavenly Father sends us? Nor is there one single grace of the Christian which, under God, will not be fostered and brought to perfection by holy knowledge. How important, then, is it that we should grow not only in grace, but in the "knowledge" of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

This is why it is so important for us to be continually feeding our spirit and soul on the Word of God. The word "know" in Daniel 11:32 is the Hebrew word "yada". According to Vine's Expository Dictionary, this word means: 1) to know by observing and reflecting (thinking), and (2) to know by experiencing. It also says: In contrast to this knowing through reflection is the knowing which comes through experience with the senses, by investigation and proving, by reflection and consideration (firsthand knowing). In addition to the essentially cognitive knowing already presented, this verb has a purely experiential side. The "knower" has actual involvement with or in the object of the knowing. "To know" God is to have an intimate experiential knowledge of Him. It is still thrilling and amazing to me that after all of these years of studying the Word (44 years!), I am still seeing, learning and knowing something new every time I do! I believe that you have seen the same thing happening for you. As you and Kristine continue to raise your ladies in the Word, new situations will arise and you will have the Wisdom and Knowledge that you need to smoothly go through each one! Here is Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham with "Love Of God":

Love and Shalom  from the Swoveys!