Do You Know God? – Jack Hibbs
Do You Know God? – Jack Hibbs
Well, hey! Happy and holy New Year to you. As we step into this brand-new year, there’s an undeniable sense of renewal in the air — a feeling of leaving the past behind and pressing forward with hope. It’s a familiar feeling we all experience at the start of a new chapter. There’s excitement, anticipation, and a desire to move forward with purpose.
But let’s be honest. As we look at the world right now, many of us are sitting on pins and needles. If we’re being truthful, the world feels like it’s trembling under the weight of uncertainty. Yet, the Bible has warned us about times like these. Prophecies from scripture have long spoken of events unfolding before our eyes. And while this may sound alarming, I’m not saying this to scare you — I’m saying it to prepare you.
As we continue through this new year, let’s remember the words of Jesus about “wars and rumors of wars.” Today, we hear many voices saying that we are already in World War III. Conflicts rage across the globe — in the Middle East, between Russia and Ukraine, and even tensions between China and Taiwan. So what does all this mean for us? Does God see what’s happening? Does He care?
Oh, dear friends, God absolutely cares. He sees it all, and He’s walking with us through these times. The Bible is our roadmap, and it shows us that even when the world seems to be falling apart, God is bringing His plan together perfectly. When we dive into scripture, we see that nothing catches God off guard. He is sovereign and faithful.
So let’s grab our Bibles and press into His Word. Do you know God?
Living by Faith: The Just Shall Live by Faith
“The just shall live by faith.” That powerful truth reminds us that when your faith is in God, you are justified — declared righteous in His sight. And when God transforms your heart, your life changes. No one has to force you to follow Christ; the Holy Spirit within you gently leads and reminds you, “You are My child now.”
God’s actions are sovereign, and His promises are sure. In Romans 9, we read about the promise given to Abraham and Sarah. Verse 9 says, “For this is the word of promise: ‘At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.’”
God’s promises are meant to be believed. When someone makes a promise, it’s given with the intention of being trusted. And let’s be honest — when someone breaks a promise, it hurts deeply. But God never breaks His promises. The question is: Will you trust Him? Will you believe what He says?
An Invitation from God: Come to Me
The Bible is filled with invitations from God. One of the most beautiful is found in Matthew 11:28:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
This is a personal invitation from Jesus to you. He says, “Come.” But the question is — will you respond? Not every Christian lives in perfect peace all the time. Why? Because we don’t always accept the invitation when we need it most.
In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them.” It’s a reminder that we have a choice — to come to Jesus or to turn away. And in John 6:37, Jesus promised, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” What a beautiful promise!
God extends the invitation, but it’s up to us to respond. Will you exercise your free will and say yes to His call? When you come to Him, you’re not just making a decision — you’re responding to God’s love. And when you stand before God in eternity, you won’t be patting yourself on the back for making the “right choice.” You’ll be thanking Him for His grace and mercy that drew you to Him.
Are You Spiritually Thirsty?
In John 7:37, Jesus stood up during the Feast and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” Are you spiritually thirsty? Are you feeling dry and empty inside?
I had a conversation today with someone who told me, “Pastor, I feel so dry on the inside. What should I do?” My answer was simple: “Press into Jesus.”
When he asked, “How do I do that?” I told him to start by reading the Gospel of John. John’s Gospel beautifully reveals the nature of Jesus like no other book. But then he asked what many people wonder: “Okay, but what do I actually do?”
And here’s the truth: You need to get alone with God.
For some, that might sound like being sentenced to solitary confinement. But getting alone with God is where transformation happens. When you draw near to Him, He will fill your soul with peace, joy, and purpose.
So, as we step into this new year, let’s accept Jesus’ invitation. Let’s trust in His promises. Let’s come to Him when we’re weary and thirsty. And let’s remember that God is sovereign over everything happening in the world today. He sees. He cares. And He is faithful to His Word.
Are you ready to trust Him with your life? Come to Him, and He will give you rest.
