From Believing to Knowing
There's a moment in many people's lives where the question marks about God start becoming real, tangible evidence. Maybe it was a piece of information, a miracle, a testimony that put you in the encounter of Jesus. I would describe that as the point of belief — where questions meet evidence and a foundation is built.
But instead of all the questions being answered, more arise. The questions just go from "is God real" to "how is it possible that happened." You realize there's something above you that you couldn't do in your own strength. That turning-point encounter. The depths of a situation you couldn't get yourself out of. The miracle. The questions answered.
Many people grew up in the church and inherited their beliefs. But there is a time when everyone will know Jesus for themselves — where your individual relationship with Him will be tested. The questions just got answered, and it looks good and feels good, but what's next? This is where belief doesn't become enough, but knowing is essential.
So the big question is: how do you go from just the act of believing, to knowing?
Short answer: the Bible.
Longer answer: the everyday relationship necessary to sustain trials and battles. Just as you speak to your best friend every day over long periods of time, the same applies to Jesus. People hear "God" or "Jesus" and just hear someone who can answer prayers, give miracles, give blessings. But what about knowing Jesus? What He taught. How He acted in different situations. The journeys He took. Allowing Jesus to shape and mold you day by day.
The point of belief — the act of believing — will only last so long, because beliefs can be questioned, shaped, molded, and changed. But knowing is fact. No questions, no rebuttals. Just fact.
So when you start to build that relationship and intimacy, and you read Isaiah 40:31 —
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."
Or when you hear Philippians 4:13 —
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Or even Jeremiah 29:11 —
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
There should be a confidence brewing in your spirit that the word of God gives you that nothing else can. To know that God will lift you up and have you soaring like the eagles. To know that all things are possible through the strength of Christ. To know that God has a plan for you even if you may feel lost.
However, I can say that — but you would also have to know that you will face hardships. A renewal of strength in Isaiah 40:31 should let you know there was a point of weakness. God is promising that He will lift you up higher and above, but the hard days are necessary to have the days soaring like eagles. In Philippians 4:13, all things are possible — but only through Christ, which means He is your full source and not yourself. In Jeremiah 29:11, God emphasizes that He has a plan for you because He knows there will be days you feel lost.
So the confidence being built doesn't omit any hardships. God's promise is telling you that He will get you through them. But if you only believe, and don't have the intimacy or the relationship, how will you begin to know these scriptures — to the point that in a hard time, a verse just pops up in your mind?
Just like any relationship, it'll take everyday effort. But even if you grow weary, just remember — God is ready to have you soaring like an eagle.
God bless, and keep going.
— Isaiah Abraham
