Searched and Known

Many of us have sat under preaching in which the preacher concluded his emotional appeal to come forward or repent with the phrase, “And don’t play games with God because He knows everything about you and you can hide from Him.” They may even have thrown the first verse in Psalm 139, “You have searched me and known me…” in for good measure.

However, the reality that God knows us completely and truly should not be a source of anxiety or fear, but of relief, comfort, and joy. Let’s look the first 6 verses of Psalm 139 and see.

1O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it. (Psalm 139:1-6)

When we think about God, and I hope we do from time to time, we should be overwhelmed at his power, love, might, grace, faithfulness, wisdom, mercy, etc. David recognized that God was omniscient, and he understood that there was no pulling the proverbial wool over His eyes. David was a sinner, we all know the story, but even that was not enough to derail David’s celebration of this truth. David was open, honest, and thankful that God knew Him, because that meant that God’s love was true and His covenant was real. Have you even been in a situation where you didn’t know the whole story and had you known everything you never would have committed yourself to it? God knows everything about us, and still freely offers us reconciliation on the basis of Jesus’ crosswork!

David continued with the idea that God was acquainted with every part of his life. 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. It doesn’t seem possible that the Sovereign God of the Universe would be aware or much less interested in when I wake up in the morning, or go to bed, but that is the depth of love of our God!

David continued by meditating on God’s protection. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. The image here should be of the city of Jerusalem being defended by the armies of God not just behind the city and in front of the city, but God’s protection was personally on David himself inside the city. Talk about safe and secure! David was a frequent flyer when it came to being in close call situations. He knew that God was so concerned for his safety that God Himself would defend Him. Many parents understand this. It is one thing to ask a child to take a message to your son, it is another to send another adult to check on your child, but when you hear he is in danger, you go running over there yourself. God was not content to send a prophet or even an angel to defend David, He defended him, Himself! What was David’s response? What should our response be to these incredible realities?  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. David was truly overwhelmed at God’s love and concern! Maybe you don’t feel the same way about God’s omniscience. It could be that you simply don’t know God well enough. Take some time pouring over the Scriptures and get to know God better. When you do, you will find yourself joining in with David and shouting “Amen!”

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