My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. 

Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.

How do I know God? I’m not talking about having facts I can recite about him. I mean really knowing his heart, and understanding his plan for me among all of his creation. How do I know him intimately? Is this even possible?

Proverbs 2 tells us it is. In these first 11 verses we see a recipe or formula for knowing God.

1. Obey your parents. Listen to their godly instructions and corrections. Take them to heart and let them change you and shape you.
2. Pursue wisdom like a hidden treasure. Crave understanding as you crave something incredibly life-transforming, like a wealthy inheritance or a beautiful bride (or for a woman a handsome husband). 

Then understand the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God. Why?  Because God will give wisdom, knowledge and understanding to the righteous.

He is a shield for his people. He guards their routes and protects their courses.

From this relationship, where we pursue God and he gives us the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding throughout our life’s pursuit, we will know God’s will for our lives — every good and right and just path.

Knowledge and wisdom will define me. It will taste good and I will drink of it to overflowing. Discretion with guard me and understanding will protect me.

This is how I know God intimately. And knowing God intimately is not a destination but it is an ever-increasing perpetual process. It builds and grows upon itself throughout life.

Lord, I want to draw closer still to your goodness and grace. I want to understand what passionately moves your heart. Help me to seek justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with you!