From Faith to Foreknowledge

How do we grow from believing that God is there to knowing Him as a friend?

I began considering that question while teaching about Enoch. Scripture gives us very little about his daily life, but it tells us that he walked with God. Hebrews tells us that he pleased God. (Genesis 5:21–24; Hebrews 11:5)

Then comes something we can apply to our own lives: without faith it is impossible to please Him. Those who come to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Seek Him.

I can become so occupied with something I want God to provide that my pursuit becomes a search for the thing itself.

But Jesus tells us to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, trusting our Father with our needs. (Matthew 6:25–33)

The invitation is to know the One who provides.

The apostles once asked Jesus to increase their faith. He spoke of faith as small as a mustard seed, then described a servant coming in from the field and continuing to serve his master. (Luke 17:5–10)

That connection held my attention.

I began to picture a servant who had very little, working for a benevolent master who possessed everything needed for the work.

The master says, “Go plow my field.”

The servant does not own the field or the equipment. He has no idea where the field is or where the equipment is to complete the task. He depends upon the master’s provision as he goes about the task.

That is the picture I drew from the passage. It helped me consider my own dependence upon God, who equips His people to do His will. (Hebrews 13:20–21)

I may begin with little understanding of what lies ahead. I believe He is leading me, and I take the next step as faithfully as I know how.

As I walk with Him, I learn.

I spend time in His Word. I bring Him my questions. I begin to care more deeply about what matters to Him. My trust grows as I come to know His character.

Proverbs calls us to make our ears attentive to wisdom and incline our hearts toward understanding. That is a posture I want to cultivate. (Proverbs 2:1–6)

Jesus told His disciples that He called them friends because He had made known to them what He had heard from His Father. (John 15:14–15)

A servant may receive an instruction without knowing the purpose behind it.

A friend is brought into understanding.

That is the movement I was trying to describe when I called this message From Faith to Foreknowledge.

Jesus also told His disciples that Holy Spirit would guide them into truth and declare things to come. (John 16:13–15)

I read those words with a desire to listen. I believe God can prepare us for what lies ahead, while recognizing that my understanding of an impression can be mistaken. Scripture tells us to test everything and hold fast to what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:19–22)

Paul writes that we have the mind of Christ. He speaks of understanding what God has freely given us through His Spirit. I want to receive that understanding with the humility of someone who still needs to be taught. (1 Corinthians 2:10–16)

The friendship is what I desire.

I want to know Him well enough to trust His direction before I understand its purpose—and remain attentive as He gives understanding along the way.

Lord, teach me to seek You.

Help me faithfully do what You have placed before me.

Let my trust deepen as I come to know You.

And when You give me understanding, help me receive it with humility.

From faith, to friendship, to what He chooses to make known.