A verse in Psalms this morning has me chewing on the dynamics of faith.

How many of us haven’t, at one time or another, felt the need for greater faith? A longing for a more deeply operational belief? A faith that repels fear. A conviction that quells anxiety? A confidence that exudes a calm amidst life’s storms?

A line in one of David’s songs suggests that at least part of realizing a dynamic faith in God is tied to a greater working knowledge of God.

That to know Him is to trust Him.

The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

(Psalm 9:9-10 ESV)

How often we equate faith with what we feel. When, if David is correct, faith may be more tied to what we know. Tied to Who we know.

God has revealed Himself. Speaking to us in these last days by His Son, “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature” (Heb. 1:2-3). Thus, as Jesus Himself asserted, to know the Son is to the know the Father (Jn. 14:9).

And, while not yet face to face, we can know the living and reigning Son of God. And that, through the living and active Word of God. Illuminated for us, and revealed to us, by the living and indwelling Spirit of God. That’s a lot of living.

Thus, there is available to us a knowledge of God beyond just theory and realized more actively through experience. Not just facts and data to be stored away, but encounters of the divine kind which renew and transform. Not just attributes of some distant deity to be memorized and recited, but acquaintance with the living God who, the more we interact with Him through His Word, the more we know we can trust Him with our lives.

“Ignorance,” according to Spurgeon, “is worst when it amounts to ignorance of God.” How we hamstring ourselves when we fail to pursue knowing the Name. When we consider as optional growing increasingly familiar with our Creator.

Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). And, without knowing God it really is pretty hard to trust God.

To know Him is to trust Him.

Possible because of His grace. Desirable, ultimately, for His glory.