BEING KNOWN BY HIM

Dear sibling in Christ,

He knows you✨

The Creator of the Universe knows, loves, and cares for you (Isaiah 43:1-7). That’s all the reassurance you need!

(I hope you are doing well😅.)

With the recordings from camp being released and soaking in GOD’s presence that is so evident in the songs, I am taken back to 15th October 2024🥹.

It was a very normal Tuesday; as a matter of fact, I had been experiencing debilitating back pain since September. I could not sit for longer than an hour, and even standing was very painful. I was, for the most part, confined to my bed. I could sometimes feel my face heating up when I sat in the wrong position. I did all I knew possible to get rid of it. I saw a chiropractor back home for almost two months and tried my best not to lift very heavy things. I had never in my life experienced such pain, and for a good portion of my life, I was the sick child, so trust me when I tell you, this pain was unbearable😭.

The weekend before Tuesday, my lovely cousin sent me a link to the Hallelujah challenge by Pastor Nathaniel Bassey. I was already not having it with GOD. His presence was irritating yet comforting. I did all the godly things because I know the enemy, but deep down, I was deeply hurt and offended by Him. Where else would I have gone, though? I searched high and low, and nothing, no one, except Him, could see me through that season. So, I starred the message just in case I was up for more of Him🥲. 

That Tuesday, I gave in and called a couple of physiotherapy centers near me, but days prior, I could sense it in my spirit that I had to attend the Hallelujah challenge. By 6 pm, I was still on a call with one of the physiotherapists and was able to get an appointment, then I tuned in to the prayers. I had a long list of prayers. Everyone I love and care about was there, from my family to friends, except me. I believed I would have to go through the back pain because, technically, I deserved it. I injured myself, and so I would have to face the consequences for being careless in the gym😭. 

Minutes after I joined the prayer, Pst. Bassey called out someone and told them their miracle, and from a young age, I knew that would never be me, and like Sarah, I scoffed. I then continued praying and worshiping without any expectations. I went in with the mindset, if it happens, Glory to GOD, if it doesn’t, still, Glory to GOD. Worship intensified, and I remembered all the times He saved me from the hands of the enemy, the millions of times from the moment my twin and I were conceived to that very day, that I escaped death. I couldn’t restrain myself; I made an oath🥹. 

I made an oath to the One who knew me first, to forever be His living sacrifice and to live for His glory till the day I breathe my last breath. I then bowed. When I tell you, it felt disgustingly painful to stand; kneeling and bowing felt impossible. I bowed the first time, but my back betrayed me. When I did it the second time and was able to bow well and not feel the back pain as much, I heard Pst. Bassey say, ‘There’s a lady I’ve seen in the spiritual realm who has bowed, your back pain is healed.’ 

At first, I didn’t think it was me. I had been bowing for a minute, and my legs were already numb, and I couldn’t really tell if I still had back pain. I dismissed it. Then he said, 'People call you CiCi. ’ And in that moment, the Holy Spirit helped me clock it! He meant Shishi, and that’s the name that only my grandmother calls me. The fact that I was praying for my grandmother last before I began to worship felt like an I see you moment 🥹. 

I got the courage to stand up, and there was nothing, no pain at all. Nothing. The cherry on top, my favorite worship song was sung at that exact moment🥹. I started bawling my eyes out and ran downstairs and told my housemates what I had just experienced. Then they started crying, and it was a joyful outburst of tears and our adoration of the merciful and perfectly loving Father.

On October 15, 2024, I met Jehovah Rapha, and my dorm room, the holy altar. I cried that night, but not from pain. I cried because I had a revelation of what it means to be known by GOD. What it means to be loved by Him. That when He says I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5), He means it. When He says, He will be with us in our day of trouble and deliver us and honor us (Psalms 91:15), He means it. 

Therefore, as we make an effort to be known by Him, He who knew us before we were even planned for, He who chose us and still chooses us without expecting us to do the same, I pray that we believe the fact that He loves us to death!

Ohhh, what a privilege to be known by Him✨. 

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise,

And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

We can never go wrong with choosing and pursuing Him.

I hope this encourages you to dwell in His presence🤗.

With GOD'S unfailing love🫶,

Your sister in Christ,

Living for the Audience of One,

NancyNengai.