Knowing God in the Depths
Like a rope proven under weight, God’s truth becomes certain when tested, and in knowing Him we are made strong.
Devotional Credit: Open Windows by T. Austin-Sparks
Photo Credit: Unsplash
T. Austin-Sparks draws our eyes to a powerful truth from Daniel 11:32: “The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” This knowledge of God is not a matter of collecting verses, memorizing truths, or attending meetings. Those things can sharpen our understanding, but they cannot release divine power. Sparks reminds us that the knowledge which leads to strength and “great exploits” comes only by revelation from God Himself. It is knowledge that cannot be gained by mental effort, but by the Spirit opening the reality of Christ within us.
This revelation, Sparks says, is often tested by pain. A truth may come to us beautifully at first, filling us with joy. We might say with conviction, “I know this.” Yet soon afterward, our circumstances shake us to the core. We find ourselves at the very edge of despair, and the question presses in: Will this truth hold when everything else collapses? In those moments, theory is sifted from reality. When we cling to the Lord in the storm and discover that His Word is true in the depths, the truth becomes part of us.
Out of that proving, God equips us to walk alongside others in their trials. We no longer speak from head knowledge but from a lived experience of God’s faithfulness. We can stand with certainty and say, “I know God is faithful. I know the victory is real.” It is in this refining that the people who know their God are strengthened. Their lives radiate a power that cannot be explained by human methods or resources.
Sparks urges us to embrace both revelation and testing as the pathway to a deeper knowledge of God. It is here that the abiding life becomes real. It is here that we discover that Jesus is sufficient not just in theory but in the darkest moments of our story. That knowledge makes us unshakable, able to bear witness to the power of God in every circumstance.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
My child, the strength you need is not found in yourself, but in knowing Me. This knowledge is not information to be stored, but revelation given by My Spirit. I have placed within you the life of My Son, and in Him you are joined to My fullness.
When trials come and you are pressed to the edge, do not be surprised. I am proving in you what is already true. The truth you hold in your mind will be tested in the depths of your soul. Yet as you cling to Me, you will discover that My Word holds steady and My victory is real. This is how truth moves from theory into living reality, and how you come to know that I am faithful.
When you walk through the fire and the waters, I am with you. You are not consumed, and you are not overcome. In those moments, you are learning not just about Me, but to know Me. And out of that knowing, you will be able to strengthen others, speaking not from borrowed words but from lived testimony.
Scripture References: Daniel 11:32, John 17:3, Ephesians 1:17, Colossians 1:27, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Isaiah 43:2, Romans 5:3-5, Philippians 3:10, Hebrews 10:23, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5.
Real-Life Analogy
Think of testing a rope before you trust it to carry your weight. At first glance, it looks sturdy, and in your hand it feels strong. But when you step into a harness and lean your full weight against it, only then do you know if it will hold. Once the rope proves itself, your trust in it is no longer theory but certainty.
In the same way, when I face a trial that shakes me, I can turn to the Lord with confidence, saying, “Lord, I trust You to live Your life through me in this moment.” In that yielding, His truth is not just believed but proven. And from that place, I can speak to others with the certainty of one who has leaned on Him and found Him faithful.
Prayer of Confidence
Lord, I thank You that knowing You is my strength. You have revealed Yourself to me in Jesus, and You continue to prove Your Word in the tests of life. I rejoice that every trial is an opportunity to know You more deeply, not in theory, but in lived reality. I rest in the truth that You are faithful, and I give thanks that in You I am strong and equipped for every good work.