Scripture in Action

Aneel Aranha is an author, preacher, and evangelist who has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people around the world. You can find a huge selection of his reflections, articles, sermons, songs and other resources on his app.

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Scripture in Action

Day 157

August 06, 2025 • Aneel Aranha • Season 3 • Episode 157

0:00 | 13:10

Explore God's desire for authentic relationship over religious performance through Hosea 4-6, Psalm 58, and Matthew 17, discovering the power of faithful love and genuine worship.

Day 157 – Press On to Know Him

Hosea 4–6
Psalm 58
Matthew 17

There's a difference between knowing facts about someone and actually knowing them. Hosea grieves that God's people are being destroyed for lack of knowledge, that even the priests have forgotten His law, and that their love for Him fades like morning mist, gone the moment the sun gets high. Into that fog comes one of Scripture's clearest calls. Press on to acknowledge the Lord, and know that He will come as surely as the sunrise, because He wants mercy and the knowledge of God more than any offering. The psalmist looks at rulers who should know better and finds them deaf to justice. Then on a mountain, Peter, James, and John see Jesus shining in glory, and hear the Father say the one thing that settles it all. This is my Son. Listen to Him. When they come back down, the disciples can't drive out a demon, and Jesus points to a faith the size of a mustard seed that they still haven't used. Taken together, these readings point to a knowledge of God that isn't information stored up. It's relationship pressed into.

One theme runs through these passages. God wants to be truly known, and that kind of knowing only grows when we press on instead of settling for what's familiar.

How can we put that into practice today? Here are three steps.

First, open to one page where Jesus speaks and read it slowly today. Then talk to Him in prayer like a person, not study Him like a subject.

Second, ask God where your devotion has turned into that morning mist, warm at dawn and gone by midday. Name one habit that would help it last.

Third, think of one situation that feels impossible right now, and take a small step of obedience there, using the mustard-seed faith you already have.

As you step into your day, carry this with you. God wants to be known, not merely believed in.

Thank you for joining me today. May the Lord draw you into real relationship with Him, steady your love so it doesn't fade by midday, and give you ears quick to listen to His Son. Until tomorrow, keep your heart open to God and your confidence in His faithfulness.