He knows ME!

 

“Daddy, watch me!” I can still hear the now decades old echoes of my little ones who wanted me to notice their latest accomplishment. Wise parents know the importance of validating their children, with sincere praise, with focused attention and meaningful affirmation. It builds confidence in that child, helps to ground her in a world filled with those who will affirm less desirable choices if her parents do not encourage the best ones.

To some degree, we all continue to desire that kind of affirmation. My are still not too old to hear, “I’m proud of you!”  Nor, am I.  I find it deeply gratifying when someone tells me how my work and/or life has encouraged, helped, or blessed them.

There is a passage in the Psalms that reminds us of God’s notice.
It can be read as a warning. When a parent tells their little one, “Remember, I’ve got eyes on the back of my head,” it’s a warning that if they misbehave, it will be noted and there will be consequences. When that same parent says, “I’ll always love you and take note of who you are,” the words are an affirmation. 

Read on … "O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord." (Psalm 139:1-4, NLT)

Ah, friend, I rest in those words, finding them greatly comforting.
Is it because everything I do is right, every thought perfectly conformed to His will? Oh if only that were the case, but I am still part of a fallen Creation, as the hymn says, “prone to wander, prone to leave the God I love.”  

So, how can I feel good about my Father’s omniscience if it means that what He sees includes my successes and my failures, my temptations and my sins?  Because I know that He is a gracious Father, full of compassion and mercy. I also know that I have a powerful Advocate in Heaven, Jesus Christ, Who is making my case, forgiving my failures, and giving me the gift of the Spirit so that I can grow in grace.  

Truth!
"The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, (who revere Him) on those whose hope is in his unfailing love." (Psalm 33:18, NIV)  I remember the story of Hagar, the servant of Sarah, who became a surrogate mother for her, bearing Abraham a son. Jealousy made their household a place of terrible tension and Hagar was thrown out, a woman in a world where there no social safety existed. Alone in the wilderness, in despair, a messenger of God found her, assured her of God’s notice. Apparently she found the courage to go back to the family of Abraham, and she discovered something about God we need to know, too. "She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13, NIV)

God sees past the outside, deeper than your image, knowing you better than you know yourself – and He loves you.  He really sees you. Draw great comfort from that fact. He makes no mistakes, never jumps to a hasty conclusion, and is never tricked by ‘first impressions.’ He sees, He knows, and He loves. 

That is why we can pray the closing lines of David’s song in that Psalm.  He trusts himself to God’s mercy and to the truth that his Father can and will lead him to a transformed life. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139:23-24, NLT)  Will you join him in that prayer of faith? I will!

Here is a word from the Word, poured out to El Roi (The God who sees me) today.
"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you." (Psalm 33:20-22, NIV)  Amen.

___________ 

Everlasting God
(Listen and choose to ‘wait on the Lord’)

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

 

Our God You reign forever

Our Hope our strong Deliv'rer

 

You are the everlasting God

The everlasting God

You do not faint

You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak

You comfort those in need

You lift us up on wings like eagles

 

Brenton Brown | Ken Riley

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