“The LORD has made Himself known…”
Psalm 9:16 (AMP)
Built into the base of a limestone outcrop in the heart of Athens is a large bronze plaque. Beside ancient marble steps that climb to the summit, the weathered bronze engraving begins with the following verses:
“Athenians, I behold that in all things you are very religious. For passing through and beholding your objects of worship, I even found an altar on which had been inscribed: To an unknown God. Therefore whom you worship not knowing, Him I proclaim to you.”
Acts 17:22-23 (BLB)
The site is the Areopagus, Ares Rock, and these are the words of Paul. These are the opening lines of his famous message on Mars Hill.
On a giant rock dedicated to Greek and Roman gods of war, Paul preached the God of justice. “The LORD, the LORD…” The God who’d created the limestone on which they stood that day listening to Paul’s Spirit-inspired words. The Rock of Ages. The God of forever who’d made Himself known.
To Moses,
To David,
To Nehemiah,
To Paul.
And, on that day, to a man named Dionysius. To a woman names Damaris, and others with them.
And then, in 1997 AD, to me.
In Christ, the LORD has made Himself known to me. In so doing, He has become this pilgrim’s home, the rock of justice on which I stand. By the Spirit of Grace, He has become my life, my breath and everything else. Closer than my skin. In Him I live, move and have my being. In Him I’m held together. Found. What a beautiful feeling!
That God is at the same time knowable and incomprehensible is a mystery that compels me to seek Him. With each glimpse of the Great I Am, the inner flame grows. Each moment of wonder and worship draws me deeper into the Divine. Into a secret place that stretches beyond time, and beyond my abilities of thought or imagination.
“That I may know Him…” (Philippians 3:10, KJV) became the pulse of Paul’s life and is becoming the heartbeat of mine. I might be “squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright!” (1 Corinthians 13:12, MSG). It won’t be long until I see Him clearly, as I know He already sees me. But for as long as I’m on this side of the blurry glass, the psalmist’s words will be my own.
“The LORD has made Himself known…”
To know Him and to be known. As you meditate on this promise, may you see His light reflecting off new facets of the Divine Nature. With each glimpse of His glory, may your heart be drawn to seek Him. And, as Paul often prayed, may “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better” (Ephesians 1:17, NIV). Rock of Ages. Great I Am.
Beautiful!