Acquaintance With God by T. M. French

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 19, 1911

Acquaintance With God

By T. M. French

T. M. FRENCH

SINCE sin entered the world, it has been the studied plan of the arch-deceiver to keep man from a real acquaintance with his Maker. We may study about God, we may accept or devise new theories concerning him, but without a personal acquaintance with him no new life is brought into the soul. And so the invitation of faithful Job comes down to us: “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”

Many fail to discern the true character of God and to enter into fellowship with him, because selfishness—the spirit of this world—excludes the real knowledge of the true God. The one who said in his heart, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God,” has permeated the world with his spirit. The student taxes the faculties of his mind to the utmost, that he may climb above his fellows and gain renown; the man of power seeks greater and still greater power, that he may win the homage of the world; the wealthy amass greater and still greater fortunes, that human pride may be satisfied. But “thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth.”

To this acquaintance with God we are invited to-day. That we might be brought into fellowship with our Creator, the Son of God left his Father’s throne. He came to reveal God to us. And the invitation comes to the sin-burdened, who are laboring to meet the world’s standard: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” O that the perplexed, the weary, the burdened, the afflicted, might understand what this acquaintance with the Friend of sinners means!

If our youth could but enter into this experience with their Maker, their lives, instead of being darkened with selfishness, would grow bright in communion with the Source of all wisdom. They would receive that “wisdom that is from above,” which is “pure,”—free from selfishness,—and their lives would expand with a benevolence and a nobility that are sadly lacking to-day. Bearing the yoke with Christ, co-workers with the One who is ever ministering to the needs of perishing humanity, they would gain an experience that the selfish heart can not comprehend.

And if the daily toiler for the support of a home could but realize that there is ever by his side One who carried these same responsibilities, the long hours of arduous labor would be gladdened. If father and mother would but turn aside from ceaseless activity and commune with the Omnipotent, they would have an unfailing helper. Their lives would grow happy in service for loved ones.

Then, too, in this world of sorrow and suffering, there is no anchor to the soul without personal acquaintance with the tender, compassionate Saviour. When the deep waters of affliction roll over the soul, earthly wisdom, power, and wealth fail; but the one who knows God is brought into a closer companionship with his Redeemer. This experience led the apostle Paul to esteem it a privilege to suffer with Christ.

“And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the atonement [at-one-ment].” A real acquaintance with God, a constant communion with him, a sense of his saving power in the life, and a realization of his comfort in affliction, bring a joy to the heart that the pleasures of this world can never afford. “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”

Takoma Park, D. C.