ACKNOWLEDGE

ACKNOWLEDGE
December 11, 2017

Prayer: Oh Lord! We want to put You in the highest place in our thinking and our doing and our giving during this season. We ask You to show us how to honor You and Your dear Son. Amen.

Scripture: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NAS

Yada [pronounced yaw-dah’] is the Hebrew word for “Acknowledge.” At first glance it seems to have many meanings:

a. Know

b. Learn to know

c. Perceive

d. Distinguish

e. Know by experience

f. Recognize, confess

g. Consider

h. Cause to know

i. Declare

Now put these definitions in the place of the word “acknowledge” in today’s verse. In all your ways ________ Him, and He will make your path straight. Now the meanings all look similar.

Many of you probably have this verse memorized and have even quoted it once in a while when you needed to make plans or a decision. I have known this verse by heart since I was a child but when you take it apart line by line and word by word there is so much to learn. Just focusing on the word “acknowledge” added so much more to this beloved verse.

I especially like the definition, “know by experience.” In all things I can get to know God better and also recall my earlier knowledge of Him from all previous experiences. We all have something we need to acknowledge about Him today – His power, His love, His plan for your life, His forgiveness, His presence. What others can you name? We also acknowledge our need for Him, the fact that we are sinners, our weaknesses. During the month of December especially, I hope that you will acknowledge Him in your activities and in your school.

Remember, Christmas is a calendar holiday that is culturally and historically relevant. You can legally discuss the reason for the holiday, sing Christmas songs, and even have a manger scene in your class during these weeks before the holiday. Please do acknowledge Santa.

Most importantly know that God acknowledges you.