"The God Who Know Us"

 
"O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.  
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me."
  
 
To be known by God... to realize that God understands who we are and still loves us. He knows our sins, our secrets, our shames, our shambles... and He still gave His only Son to die for us on the cross. It's amazing! It is almost unbelievable.
 
Years ago, I had a friend once who sinned and felt like the Lord couldn't love her anymore. She felt dirty... she was dirty... and she couldn't believe that God could still have a plan for her life. She thought she had messed it all up. She thought Jesus was finished with her. But, God gave me a word for her -- one of the clearest I've ever heard for anyone... one that I've needed myself several times since then: "God isn't surprised by your sin. He knew this would happen and He still loved you enough to die for you." God knows how vile we are, even before we know it ourselves, Yet, "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." He hasn't given up on us. We aren't "still sinners"; we are saints, being trained not to sin.
 
Why would He do that? Why would He dare to love that way? "Unconditional" seems like an understatement! After everything we've done, how could He stand to look at us, much less reach out to us in perfect love? Because He knows us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Sure, He knows all our garbage. But, He also knows who He created us to be. I guess He never gives up on us. At least, I have to believe He hasn't given up on me, yet. He still has Hope, and Hope abides; it remains... forever.
 
Yesterday, I asked the Lord for another song. I felt like I couldn't find the right words for what I needed to pray. I just couldn't get it out, as if I had some sort of a spiritual log-jam in my throat. He gave me this song... a song of praise. He didn't just give me words to ask Him for the things I need or even the things my family needs (that came separately). Instead, God gave me a song to offer Him worship for the simple reality that He still knows my name; He still knows how many hairs are on my head. He still Hopes for me.
 
God knows me! God... THE GOD... I just can't seem to get over that tonight. It's actually keeping me up. God knows me... me... it's almost unbelievable... almost.
 
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This song was birthed out of a place of pain and praise. You can learn more about the story here.


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