I'm a little embarrassed to find how many of my blogs over these past 10 years have been on this passage! I'm afraid it tells you more about my needs than you would like to know!! Truly, it is one of my favorite verses in the Bible and does show up on the walls of our home.
I love thinking how in the Martha and Mary story Martha was so busy and distracted and how Mary chose "what is better" when she sat at Jesus' feet to listen to his profound words. Why, I ask myself, do I listen to what I listen to? Sometimes my own inner voice and sometimes the criticism of the world How very grateful I am for the Bible and how it teaches me that trusting God is better than trusting anyone or anything else.
The Hebrew word for "know" in this passage is yada and is more than knowing about someone, it is a personal and intimate relationship. We can know the One True God intimately, if we will be still and listen. Psalm 9:10 says: "Those who know your name put their trust in you." Same Hebrew word. Craig Denison says: "Continual peace comes from continual trust."
John Piper says: "He (God) loves to work for people who wait for Him." I encourage you to read J.I. Packer's KNOWING GOD. I think you will come away with a better idea of how rich and satisfying a "personal and intimate relationship" with God can be. We don't have to strive to make life happen for us...if we will be still, wait and listen, He will direct our paths (Prov. 3:5-6)!
For further study: Ex. 14:14, Psalm 23:2, Proverbs 1:7, Isaiah 26:3, Jer. 9:23-24, Luke 10:38-42, 2 Cor. 10:5, 1 Tim. 2:1-2, 2 Peter 3:18, 1 John 5:20.
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Holly
