#1622 0115 12A

            Very few people in the world know the one real need that would make them happy, contented, victorious, and assured of eternal life.  From the time of our birth, we are not aware of what we should know; what our attitude should be, and what our one real need really is.  Not knowing these things can follow us far into the Christian life.

            We may think that a wonderful answer to prayer, or a demonstration of God’s power, is what we need in life.  We can often think that once we experience something like this, we would have a perfected faith, an inner peace, and be able to trust God for anything; but these things can become an idol that we worship and depend on for the next answer—that is not our one real need.

            It is a blessing to receive some encouraging answer to prayer, but the one real need of everyone is God Himself.  To really know Him; to totally trust Him; to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength Mark 12:30; and to communicate privately with Him is our only real need.

            Most think that money is all they need to make them happy.  Millions go into serious financial debt to obtain the education they believe will eventually result in a high salary job—they think that is what they need.  Others seek a divorce, and marry again—thinking that will bring happiness.

            God often allows us to have things we want, so that we can learn that those things do not bring real satisfaction.  Our one real need is God Himself.  The human heart needs something to love—it is our nature to be that way.  We are not happy unless we have someone to love supremely.  The problem is that any human object of love can change, and when it does, we are no longer happy.  Placing our love on something on earth can later become a source of disappointment or depression.

            Money is necessary to obtain things we need, and to do things that need to be accomplished.  However, if the primary object of our life is to accumulate money, it will prove to be a curse and not a blessing.  Money never has, nor ever will, make people supremely happy—at least not for long.  It can buy new clothes, the best of foods, and a place to sleep, but these are all temporary at best.

            Money cannot buy peace; cannot forgive sins; cannot force someone to treat us right; cannot purchase a divine nature; and cannot guarantee salvation.  Although many have obtained fame, fortune, power, and influence, these things always prove a disappointment.

            Having God—Who is perfect in love; Who never changes; Who never loves someone else a little more than He does us; Who is infinite in wisdom; always merciful and ready to forgive; Who has unlimited power so “all things are possible” with Him Matthew 19:26; Who can create anything we could need; One who is always present and at our service at any time—He is our one real need.

            God is the only One who can free us from anxiety; remove fear; take away doubt, and the torments of the devil.  God is the only One who can take resentment out of our heart; deliver us from unbelief, and open our eyes to His Truth.  It is God alone who can do this—money cannot.  Money just multiplies the power of the devil, when we make it the supreme object of our love.  1 Timothy 6:9 ”They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

            Our one real need, concerning good health and healing, is to have the great God of the universe; Who is limitless in love, mercy, and power; Who is the Maker of the human body, to be by our side and ready to forgive our sins and heal our afflictions for free.  1 Peter 2:24 ”Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed,” Isaiah 53:5.

            Many wish for wealthy parents who would buy them anything they could want—designer clothing; top-of-the-line electronic equipment; eating at the best restaurants, and season passes for luxury boxes at sporting events.  Even though longing to have rich parents, the fact is that we have a God with us Who wants us to be heirs of His wealth.  We can approach Him at any time of the day or night to obtain the supplies we need—even though very few believe that.  Most would rather be cold, hungry and lack clothing, rather than trust God in faith.

            Even though the vast majority of people will not believe that, nor will they trust God for a toothpick, it does not alter the fact that the Maker of Heaven and earth, with immense wealth to supply every possible need and take care of every interest; One who feeds ravens and clothes the lilies, and who does not allow a sparrow to fall without His permission, is by our side every moment.

            Matthew 6:31-33 "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  "For after all these things the Gentiles seek.  For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But [make the Kingdom of God your primary concern] seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

            The believer has equal inheritance rights with Christ to God’s entire wealth—to all the Father’s spiritual, physical, and financial blessings.  Our one real need then is to really know who God is; what He is waiting to do for us, and how we can access all of those blessings.

            When we are convinced that God actually made Heaven and earth, “the sea and all that in them is;” that He is who He says He is; that He is with us today, and His services are free, we would automatically trust Him.  Contentment, rest, and satisfaction can only be enjoyed when God is the supreme object of our life, and we have unlimited access to Him every day.

            This personal relationship with God is directly connected to the death of self.  Just in proportion as self dies is God revealed.  When we know how God leads us to that position of trust on Him, our pathway is easier and our progress more rapid.  The ultimate reward involved in all of this faith, trust, and knowledge of God is eternal life.  Salvation is not because we believe the historical facts of the Bible, but because we trust in the living God of the Bible.

            Many professing faith believe the facts of the Bible, but they do not trust the God of the Bible.  Most do not know God, and do not trust Him in faith, because they are not willing to get rid of the idols they have in their heart.  Just believing that the Atonement of Christ took place, but not trusting on what His shed Blood accomplished, will take multitudes to the lake of fire for ever.  That is a far more serious thing than could ever happen to us in this world.

            We are horrified and appalled by many things that take place in this world—acts of terror, serious crimes, bombing of innocent people, war, murders, assaults, and capital punishment; and—as horrible as they are—they pale in comparison to the horrific fate of the lake of fire.  Unless self dies in us, and we come to really know God as He is, it would be impossible to have eternal life.

            The first condition of knowing God is a forgiven heart—by truly repenting, confessing every known sin, forsaking them, and not allowing any unscriptural thing in our life.  The moment we permit anything that would defile our conscience, we are no longer pure in heart.  When our conscience is defiled, the light of God’s Truth is obstructed.  Jesus said Matthew 5:8 ”Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

            When we have made a final decision to not tolerate anything in our life that is contrary to God’s will, He then begins to reveal His presence in our life, and what He should mean to us.  We are to confess and forsake any known sin in our life, and then truly believe that God accepts us, because He has promised 1 John 1:9 “to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“ 

            At that point, we should be willing to meet anything and everything as God’s Word says to meet them—whether it is a difficult person, an unreasonable employer, or an upsetting situation.  We are to believe in faith that our heart is pure, and we are righteous in the sight of God.  To the extent that we meet things in a scriptural way, will self die, and Christ live in our heart.

            King Jehoshaphat thought he had faith in God, but he did not really know God as he thought.  His happiness was only on the surface, and it vanished when three enemy nations came to destroy his kingdom.  He was distressed and “greatly feared,” 2 Chronicles 20:3.  Had he really known God, he would not have been fearful.  Elisha’s servant feared like the king, so the prophet said 2 Kings 6:16 ”They that be with us are more than they that be with them.” No matter what trial we face, or what enemy comes against us, that is to be our answer.  Psalm 46:2 ”Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”

            If we do not see it, or do not believe it, we need to pray as 2 Kings 6:17 “Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”  That is true Christianity and genuine believing faith.

            When someone does some wicked thing to us, we feel hurt and betrayed; but if we are willing to let it go, give it to God, and forget it happened, the result is a revelation of God Himself and the resurrection power of Christ.  It is God’s responsibility to give us the power to believe; it is our responsibility to give Him our heart that is willing to believe.

            When we have an empty wallet, an empty stomach, and an empty cupboard—and we are determined not to tell or even hint to one human being that we need anything—that is when our heart is searched and God is revealed.  By committing the entire matter to Him in prayer and in faith, we will not only have peace and the faith to trust God, but we will also have a new revelation of Him.  Really knowing God—that is our one real need.