TUESDAY 2nd
Psalm 139:1-6
We continue today with the attributes of God:
Omniscient – God is all knowing.
In Saturdays devotion we saw that David was acknowledging the omnipresence of God in Psalm 139:7-16, in the same chapter he also acknowledges that God is omniscient in verses 1-6, ‘O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.’ And again, in verse 16 ‘Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.’
The fact that God is omniscient means that he not only knows everything that has happened, but that he also knows everything that will happen! It means that God will never be caught out, there will never be a situation in time in which God will not know what to do, because he already knows what will yet happen and God out of his omniscience and omnipotence has already planned ahead for it. It also means that God knows everything about us, every detail, he knows all our thoughts and all our desires, he knows before we know exactly how we are going to react or respond to any given situation. He knew us before we were born, he knows the number of days that he has determined for each one of us to live in this world, and he knows how we are going to live out each of those allotted days.
In Jeremiah we read ‘Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.’ (v33) God was going to reveal to Jeremiah things that he (Jeremiah) knew nothing about in regard to the future, they are great and hidden things, but they were not hidden from God, because he knows the future he can reveal it even before it happens and on this occasion he was going to reveal to Jeremiah the future plans he had for the children of Israel.
There is a popular song, that includes the words, ‘I do not know what lies ahead’ but it continues with the words, ‘But I know who holds the future, and he’ll guide me with his hand; with God things don’t just happen, everything by him is planned, so as I face tomorrow, with its problems large and small, I’ll trust the God of miracles give to him my all.’
As we consider the omniscience of God, it should first be an encouragement to us, reminding us that God knows everything about the circumstances of our lives. Whatever your situation at this moment God knows, he is not an afar off, distant God, he is with you and at the same time knows everything about you. And he is working for you, working all things out for the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose. (That is Romans 8:28 cropping up yet again!) Secondly it should cause us to realise that God not only knows all there is to know about us, but that he also sees us all the time, it should cause us to want to ensure that we are living daily in a way that is God honouring. The Hebrew writer reminds us, 4:13 ‘And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.’
These truths about God and his attributes should inspire us, may we rest in the knowledge that God is all powerful, all-seeing, and all-knowing, remembering this, Matthew 10:29-31 (NLT) ‘What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.’
I do not know what lies ahead,
The way I cannot see;
Yet one stands near to be my guide,
He’ll show the way to me:
I know who holds the future,
And he’ll guide me with his hand;
With God things don’t just happen,
Everything by him is planned.
So as I face tomorrow,
With its problems large and small,
I’ll trust the God of miracles,
Give to him my all.
I do not know how many days
Of life are mine to spend;
But one who knows and cares for me
Will keep me to the end:
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