I have a question for you. How well do people know you? Some, naturally, know you better than others, and some may assume to know you, but don’t really ‘know’ you, if you ‘know’ what I mean. haha I would think your best friends know you well. You spend time with them, you share stories, lunches, birthdays and telephone calls. You may even share some secrets! Then there is your family. Your husband or wife, your children and perhaps other relatives who live with you or come by often. Now because they live with you, they know you even better than best friends. Why? Because you live in the same house, every day, and they see you at your best and at your worst. They see how you respond to situations, good and bad, and how you react to movies and old photographs. They know your favorite flowers, favorite pair of slippers and foods you love and dislike. They also know your worst habits, and your short temper. So it is, some people you spend a lot of time with, others you live with, but now how about the One who created you? He knows all of the above. He knows everything about you, before you were even born. Psalm 139:16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
He knows all your tomorrows before they even come about. He knows you better than you know yourself. How? Because He created you from the beginning. He gave you a personality that’s all your own, and fingerprints that are one of a kind. He knows the numbers of hair on your head. Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
No, He doesn’t have a refrigerator with your photo on it, but He has something even more special. He has your name engraved on the palm of His hand! Think about that!
Isaiah 49:16a Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands;
How often does someone say to you, “Hi, how are you?” And what do you reply? “Hi, I’m fine. How about you?” in which they say as well, “I’m fine”. BUT God knows better. He knows you’re hurting over your relationship issues, or He knows you’re worried about making next month’s mortgage payment. He knows that ailment you are dealing with that you choose to keep from the world. And, He knows your sleepless nights, your crushed dreams, and your hopelessness. He knows you feel alone in a crowded room, and He knows your sighs and groans are silent prayers that no one else hears. Oh my friends, God knows us fully and completely, 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. and yes, He knows the bad thoughts, the poor choices we are about to make and the regrets that still haunt us. And yet, just as He knows us the most, He also loves us the most. His grace towards you is far greater than your brokenness. He cares about the smallest detail to the most important. He is with you in the secret heartaches, the worries and fears, and the invisible sorrows and loves you through it all. How glorious to be known and loved like that! You will not find such love with anyone else, because as sinful human beings, we all love imperfectly. But God, oh my, He loves us unconditionally, faithfully, continually, and eternally. Isn’t it awesome to be fully known, and fully loved at the same time?
So the next time your feeling like you alone are carrying that burden, whatever it might be, know that Jesus asks that we give it to Him. Mathew 11:28-30 ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
’The next time you tell someone “your fine”, remember, God knows better, unless of course, you really are fine. He knows your heart, your thoughts, your dreams, and your tears on the inside, as you smile on the outside. He knows you perfectly, and therefore He alone can perfectly love you. Who wouldn’t want a love like that? Run to Jesus! His arms are open wide. Run to Jesus; He alone can satisfy.
Remember man looks at the outside, but God looks on the heart. The heart is the truth teller, and God knows your heart better than anyone else. After all He gave it it’s very first heartbeat and will continue doing so until He welcomes you home.
“Oh Father, my life is in your hands, and I trust you with it today and always, until we meet face to face. I am so grateful that you know me fully, and yet, fully love me. Thank you for your grace. I love you so. Amen.”
Psalm 139 1-18
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!
I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—
but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up, you are still with me!