Knowing God, Being Known
Knowing God, Being Known: A Journey of Faith and Purpose
In a world where we often curate our lives for social media, carefully selecting which parts of ourselves to reveal, there's a profound truth that can shake us to our core: we are fully known and deeply loved by our Creator. This isn't just a comforting platitude, but a life-altering reality that can transform how we view ourselves and our purpose in this world.
The Psalmist David, in one of his most intimate and soul-stirring writings, Psalm 139, paints a vivid picture of this truth. He begins with a declaration that might make us uncomfortable: "Oh Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me." At first glance, this might feel invasive, like God is the ultimate stalker. But as we delve deeper, we realize this knowledge is intertwined with an unfathomable love and grace.
God's knowledge of us isn't just surface-level. He knows our thoughts before we think them, our words before we speak them. He's intimately acquainted with all our ways. For some, this might be terrifying. For others, it's the most comforting truth imaginable. The difference lies in our relationship with Him and our understanding of His character.
This omniscient God isn't distant or detached. He's not a cosmic force that set the world spinning and then stepped back to watch from afar. No, He's present in every moment of our lives. As David continues, "If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." There's nowhere we can flee from His presence, not because He's trying to catch us, but because His love compels Him to be with us always.
But here's where it gets even more personal and awe-inspiring. Not only does God know us and stay with us, but He has created us with intention and purpose. "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb," David writes. Each of us is a masterpiece, crafted by the ultimate Artist. We're not accidents or random occurrences. We're purposefully designed and placed in this specific moment of history.
This truth flies in the face of cultural narratives that tell us we're merely the product of chance or natural selection. Instead, we're invited to see ourselves as God sees us – as His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
Realizing this can be both liberating and challenging. It means that our lives have inherent meaning and purpose, but it also means we have a responsibility to live out that purpose. We're called to glorify God in everything we do, not just in some future, idealized version of ourselves, but right here, right now, in the midst of our ordinary, everyday lives.
This calling isn't dependent on our circumstances. Whether we're students or retirees, single or married, employed or job-hunting, we have the opportunity to reflect God's goodness, mercy, and love in the world around us. Our potential is realized when we align ourselves with God's purpose for our lives.
But what if we feel sidelined or forgotten? What if our life doesn't look the way we thought it would? The Psalmist reminds us, "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!" Even when we can't see it, God is thinking about us, working in and through our lives.
This knowledge should lead us to a place of humble worship and highest praise. Consider this: Jesus knew every sin we would ever commit, every selfish act, every rebellion against His will – and He chose to go to the cross for us anyway. There's no one who knows us better or loves us more than Jesus.
So how do we respond to these profound truths? The invitation is clear: trust Him. Not just with our words, but with our lives. David ends his psalm with a bold request: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."
This is more than just acknowledging God's knowledge of us. It's actively inviting Him to examine our hearts, to reveal any areas that are contrary to His will, and to guide us back to His path. It's a declaration of trust in His goodness and His plan for our lives.
For some reading this, the idea of being fully known by God might be new or frightening. But the good news is that this God who knows you intimately is also the One who loves you unconditionally. Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). This isn't just a general statement about the world – it's personal. You can insert your name into that verse: "For God so loved [Your Name] that He gave His one and only Son..."
If you're ready to believe, He's ready to save. If you're suffering and unsure where God is in the midst of your pain, know that He hasn't abandoned you. His care and concern for you are comprehensive and unfailing. And if you feel sidelined or unsure of your purpose, remember that you can glorify God right where you are, even in the face of circumstances that seem to say otherwise.
Each of these responses requires trust. But as we learn to trust in the God who knows us fully and loves us completely, we find that our perspective shifts. We begin to see our lives, our circumstances, and our world through a different set of eyes – His eyes. And in that vision, we discover the purpose and meaning we've been searching for all along.
In a world where we often curate our lives for social media, carefully selecting which parts of ourselves to reveal, there's a profound truth that can shake us to our core: we are fully known and deeply loved by our Creator. This isn't just a comforting platitude, but a life-altering reality that can transform how we view ourselves and our purpose in this world.
The Psalmist David, in one of his most intimate and soul-stirring writings, Psalm 139, paints a vivid picture of this truth. He begins with a declaration that might make us uncomfortable: "Oh Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me." At first glance, this might feel invasive, like God is the ultimate stalker. But as we delve deeper, we realize this knowledge is intertwined with an unfathomable love and grace.
God's knowledge of us isn't just surface-level. He knows our thoughts before we think them, our words before we speak them. He's intimately acquainted with all our ways. For some, this might be terrifying. For others, it's the most comforting truth imaginable. The difference lies in our relationship with Him and our understanding of His character.
This omniscient God isn't distant or detached. He's not a cosmic force that set the world spinning and then stepped back to watch from afar. No, He's present in every moment of our lives. As David continues, "If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." There's nowhere we can flee from His presence, not because He's trying to catch us, but because His love compels Him to be with us always.
But here's where it gets even more personal and awe-inspiring. Not only does God know us and stay with us, but He has created us with intention and purpose. "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb," David writes. Each of us is a masterpiece, crafted by the ultimate Artist. We're not accidents or random occurrences. We're purposefully designed and placed in this specific moment of history.
This truth flies in the face of cultural narratives that tell us we're merely the product of chance or natural selection. Instead, we're invited to see ourselves as God sees us – as His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
Realizing this can be both liberating and challenging. It means that our lives have inherent meaning and purpose, but it also means we have a responsibility to live out that purpose. We're called to glorify God in everything we do, not just in some future, idealized version of ourselves, but right here, right now, in the midst of our ordinary, everyday lives.
This calling isn't dependent on our circumstances. Whether we're students or retirees, single or married, employed or job-hunting, we have the opportunity to reflect God's goodness, mercy, and love in the world around us. Our potential is realized when we align ourselves with God's purpose for our lives.
But what if we feel sidelined or forgotten? What if our life doesn't look the way we thought it would? The Psalmist reminds us, "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!" Even when we can't see it, God is thinking about us, working in and through our lives.
This knowledge should lead us to a place of humble worship and highest praise. Consider this: Jesus knew every sin we would ever commit, every selfish act, every rebellion against His will – and He chose to go to the cross for us anyway. There's no one who knows us better or loves us more than Jesus.
So how do we respond to these profound truths? The invitation is clear: trust Him. Not just with our words, but with our lives. David ends his psalm with a bold request: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."
This is more than just acknowledging God's knowledge of us. It's actively inviting Him to examine our hearts, to reveal any areas that are contrary to His will, and to guide us back to His path. It's a declaration of trust in His goodness and His plan for our lives.
For some reading this, the idea of being fully known by God might be new or frightening. But the good news is that this God who knows you intimately is also the One who loves you unconditionally. Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). This isn't just a general statement about the world – it's personal. You can insert your name into that verse: "For God so loved [Your Name] that He gave His one and only Son..."
If you're ready to believe, He's ready to save. If you're suffering and unsure where God is in the midst of your pain, know that He hasn't abandoned you. His care and concern for you are comprehensive and unfailing. And if you feel sidelined or unsure of your purpose, remember that you can glorify God right where you are, even in the face of circumstances that seem to say otherwise.
Each of these responses requires trust. But as we learn to trust in the God who knows us fully and loves us completely, we find that our perspective shifts. We begin to see our lives, our circumstances, and our world through a different set of eyes – His eyes. And in that vision, we discover the purpose and meaning we've been searching for all along.
Recent
Archive
2025
May
No Comments