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God Knowing Us Feels Like a Warm Blanket

Talk about being significant.

It’s a really simple thing for me to say that God knows us. It’s even fairly simple for you to acknowledge that. But we need to understand this truth in the light of creation. When God made us, He knew what kind of world He was bringing us into. He knew what types of skills we would need to work the garden and rule over the animals. God knew what kind of food was available, so He made our bodies able to use this food for energy.

In chapter 2 we see the story of how God looked around for a suitable partner for Adam. God knew exactly what Adam would need when He created Eve.

I think we need to pause and consider just how much God knows us. He made this world like a playground for us. Perhaps you've heard the amazing facts about our world; how if our planet were a bit closer to the sun, it would burn up; and if it were a few feet farther, it would freeze. How gravity has just the right amount of pressure. If it were heavier, our bodies would be hurting, but if it were lighter, the little ones might start floating away. How scary might that be?

God has known us since He made us. He has watched our history unfold, much like a Chicago Bears fan watches their seasons go down in flames. (Sorry Bears fans, too close to home?)

This is what makes the words of Psalm 139 sound like a warm blanket to our soul’s coldest nights. But before we dive in to this song, let’s think about the author for a moment. It is written by David, the famed king of Israel. When he writes, ‘O Lord, you have searched me and you know me’, he is writing from a life of complete success, right? Kill the giant, marry the king’s daughter, and rule the kingdom while retelling the stories.

But that’s not quite how it happened, is it?

No, David’s life looks more like this; get told you’ll be king while still a boy, slay a goliath, join the king’s court, have the king suspect you for treason and try to kill you, marry his daughter, have the king try to kill you again, eventually become king, have enemies try to kill you, experience victory over enemies, see a pretty girl taking a bath, murder her husband, get caught, lose 4 sons, one of whom was trying to kill you and take over, even causing you to run for your life…

Are you remembering David’s life more accurately now, this man after God’s own heart? This is the David who writes,

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
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