Acknowledgement engages our mind to consider the Solution for our seeking.
In the world of social media, we have the opportunity to acknowledge or refuse all day and night. Messages, texts, posts, requests, and tweets fill our lives with decisions to intentionally turn toward or away from relationship. I love this aspect of social media. In the physical world, there is a tangible example of acknowledgement and rejection in relationships. I don’t have to wonder what it is to ignore God’s word or refuse to set aside time with Him.
I don’t even have to wonder if my choices are deliberate or accidental. Whenever I refuse to acknowledge engagement by another human, I comprehend the consequences of that—lack of relationship. Something else was more important at that moment. I’m always looking for ways to relate practically to the things of Scripture and this is a great model of acknowledgement.
To acknowledge means to recognize or admit the existence of something as valid. Relationship with God is built on acknowledgement. Seeking enables us to hear the message of salvation, but unless we acknowledge God as the Solution, we will be indifferent to His value and purpose for our life. There will be no relationship.
Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to acknowledge or recognize God in all we do.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Because of technology, we understand more clearly what it means to acknowledge God without seeing Him. We also identify with what it means to refuse to acknowledge Him.
It is common in our society to ignore or reject a contact. The little twinge of guilt that accompanies rejecting a message is easily covered with excuses and the hope that a face-to-face conversation will never happen. We may also think we can refuse to acknowledge God, and hope that we will never be accountable for our choice.
But God’s word says we will come to a day of facing God. No one will be exempt. This is spoken of in
Romans 14:11-12.
For it is written,
“AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.” 12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
Acknowledging God honors Him, as valuable above all others.