It would be a strange God who could be loved better by being known less …. If we love God knowing a little about him, we can love God more from knowing more about him: for every new thing known about God is a new reason for loving him."
The basics of the Christian life can be expressed in a simple "wheel diagram", and one of the spokes on the wheel is about studying God – combined with prayer they are the vertical spokes and have to do with the relationship between God and us.
But how do we study God that we may know Him better and, as a result, love Him more?
What means do we have for finding out more about Him? Think, how do you find out more about anyone? You spend time with them and take the opportunity to find out about them through whatever means possible. Especially if it's someone you are interested in dating or like the look of.
We can "study" people through different means. With technology, we examine their "likes", statuses, profile information, and preferred music, movies, and favourite past times and places. Yes, that's called "social media stalking." We then catch up with them again and spend time together talking and discovering more about the other person.
You spend time with and study God in a similar way. You could call it having permission to be a "God stalker."
We hear about Him, what He is like, and begin discovering Him for ourselves. We can sit quietly, listen in our hearts, learn to hear His voice, read the bible, hear about other people's spiritual journeys and stories, and listen to preaching and teaching.
It's also like when you sit studying a new baby, and you take the time just to gaze at their little face, hands and feet. There is no conversation, but you learn a lot by being with and spending time with them.
Likewise, there are times with God where you don't have to do or say anything; it is enough to be with Him, for "In being there is knowing Him".
God wants you to study Him and for you to want to know Him more deeply continually. He doesn't want your relationship with Him to stay at the same level or become superficial. He even says to fix your mind on heaven and to seek Him out so that He can share mysteries and great and mighty things with you.
Take the time today to study God because, "If you love God knowing a little about him, you can be sure you will love God even more from knowing more about him."
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:2)
"But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:16)
"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)
Prayer: Lord, I want to know you more and take the time to study and get to know what you think, what you like, what pleases you and what touches your heart. I want to know you more and for you to know me. In Jesus Name Amen.