Category Archives: God Knows

God Knows

Does God Really Know Everything ?

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How Do We Describe God in Human Terms?

Have you ever thought about what God is really like? When we look at the concepts that express a understanding of God, we are looking at eternal and infinite matters far beyond human understanding in many ways.  However, one of the great truths of the Bible is that we can know God. In fact, God wants you to know Him personally and intimately. The first step of every believer toward learning to trust God is developing an understanding of the character and nature of God. The apostle Paul said that the goal of his life was to know Christ and the power of His resurrection.  A particular way that we understand God is in terms of His infinite knowledge of our lives. In the book of Hebrews the writer speaks of the omniscience of God in this manner, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare to Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). When describing the breadth of the knowledge of God, the psalmist says nothing in creation is hidden from God; “His understanding has no limit” (147:5).

How Much is Everything?

What these verses are talking about, by theologians, is called the omniscience of God: meaning that– God knows everything. The assumption is formed by an understanding of scripture that there is no question He cannot answer, no problem that confuses Him. He’s never surprised. He’s never shocked. He never says, “Oh, really?” God knows everything, but how much is everything and what is the scope of his knowledge?

God’s Knowledge is Infinite

You don’t know all about yourself. That’s why you have a lot of problems because you don’t know all about yourself. I’m constantly surprising myself with the things I thought I could do that I can’t and by the things I thought I couldn’t do that I can. What happens to us in life is constantly a surprise because we really don’t know as much about ourselves as we think we do. However, God knows Himself and understands that He can do anything because His knowledge is infinite.

His Knowledge is Complete

He knows about everything He has made. The Bible says that after God had finished making the world, He saw everything He had created and He said, “It is good” (Genesis 1:21). That’s an amazing statement — God saw everything: Every rock, every tree, every blade of grass, every fish, every bird, every animal, every star, every sand pebble. He saw everything. He was totally aware of everything that He created and He said, “It is good.” The Bible says that every time a sparrow falls to earth God notices. So God has infinite and personal knowledge about creation.

The Scope of His Knowledge

The scope of His knowledge encompasses all of history: He knows the past. He knows the present. He knows the future. He knows everything that has happened. He knows everything that is happening right now. He knows everything that will happen. And not only that, He knows everything that could have happened but didn’t and everything that can happen but won’t. He knows the scope of history from beginning to end. As we ponder all that is happening in the world today and the things we may have concerns about, remember that God knows all about it and knows the outcome.  It is with great confidence that we can place our trust in God today because He knows us in in every way and nothing will take Him by surprise.

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God Knows

God, If You Really Know Everything, I Need Some Advice

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Advice“If I could have known in the past what I know today, I probably would have made some different decisions.” It seems that these words are reminiscent of what Solomon wrote while discussing the futility of what has happened in life. We may think that if we knew the future that we would alter or maybe change what would be done. However, a perplexing fact about the omniscience of God is that He already knows the future but doesn’t try to change it, because He has already provided for everything that will ever come up in our lives. Yes, God knows all about us, past, present, future, even before we were born.

This truth is presented in Psalm 139:16 where a description is given of what God knows about us, “The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book before any of them ever began.” When God looks at our existence, it is with a complete understanding of every moment, success, failure, and event that occurs. Unfortunately, many who look at their life or the life of others see failure, problems, defeat. However, when God looks at our life, even though it may not have been perfect, we face challenges, or insurmountable problems the narrative of scripture indicates that when God looks at our lives that he has hope for a future. In Jeremiah 29:11, even though God’s people have failed miserably, the message that God gives is that it isn’t the end—there is hope for a bright future: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you hope and a future.” He has a plan for what is going to happen, really– He knows your future.

Everybody is interested in the future and trying to predict what will happen and develop logistical plans. It’s interesting to me the things people will try to know what the future holds: astrology, horoscopes, reading tea leaves, consulting with people, bio-rhythms. People try all kinds of things trying to figure out what’s going to happen next. They are going to the wrong source. There is somebody who knows what’s going to happen next – it is the omniscient Father who is God. The fact is, God sees my tomorrow, today. He already sees the things we’ll face. He knows my future.

Do you know that God is not limited by time? He can be in the past, the present, and the future all at the same time. It’s like if you were in the Goodyear Blimp looking down on the Rose Bowl Parade. You could see the beginning of the parade and the end of the parade all at the same time, without even stopping it. God, from His perspective, can see past, present, and future all at once. He sees all my tomorrows, today. That gives me great confidence in God.

Isn’t it comforting to understand that He knows everything that is going to happen in my life? He not only knows about the future, He’s there. He not only walks with you day by day, but He’s actually out there in the future. He’s already prepared for everything you’re going to face — tomorrow, next week, and next month.

What happens in the future may surprise us but it’s not going to surprise God. God is not in heaven wringing His hands, wondering what will happen next–nothing ever catches Him by surprise. The crisis that you’ll experience next month, next year, or whenever, the inevitable crisis that catches you and you ask, “What’s happening? Where is God?” God’s been there all along, preparing. He knows your future. He is in your future and He’s prepared for everything. That gives me confidence. I know when I hit that crisis, it may surprise me, but it hasn’t surprised God.

So if God knows the future and it is what it is, then do we just surrender to fate? In the book of James it says, “If any man lack wisdom let him ask God” — Our response is if I know that God knows all my tomorrows, today, then I should ask for advice. Yes, it is true –He knows what’s going to happen. In Jeremiah 33:3 it says, “Call unto Me and I will answer you and I will show you great and mighty things that you know not.” The things you don’t know, God can tell you about. He’s not going to lay out your whole life all at once, telling you everything that will happen in your life. If He did you’d get very discouraged or full of pride or both. He will lay it out a little at a time. He says, “Call to me. I’ll give you advice because I know what’s going to happen!” From God’s perspective, since He knows everything that’s going to happen, you can ask Him for advice now.

Did you know that God knows all our faults and failures and He still loves us? God knows all of our frustrations and my feelings and He cares. Yes, God knows all of the future and will respond with wisdom, if we ask Him today.

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God Knows about the Depth of Emotional Pain we Feel

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Stress Reduction KitWhat is it that get’s on your very last nerve?  It is not your sweet spot, it is your hot spot.  In fact, there is something that all of us are facing that is wearing us thin today. Those are the things  that raise the temperature, creates stress, and causes things that would not normally to bother us to become larger than life. There times we get frustrated about the events of life and feel that no one cares or knows how we really feel. Yes, we even question if God really cares about what we experience in the times of disappointment and frustration. It is at times like this that we are overly concerned with the activity – what is happening or not happening – and not the process. In the process of frustration, disappointment, and discouragement; our response can be to give up.  However,  if during these times, we can understand that God knows about what we are going through and that nothing is escaping His watchful eye or concern– then frustration can turn into faith.  What does the Bible say about frustration in the life of the believer?

Psalm 31:7 says, that God knows the depth and emotional impact of problems upon our lives, “you God have listened to all my troubles and have seen the crisis in my soul.”  Now, some of you may think, “Nobody knows what I’m going through, nobody feels the pain I’m going through.”  But listen, God knows for sure.  Indeed, He knows our feelings and frustrations …  He has seen the crisis in the soul. Also, in Psalm 56:6,  we are told that He is fully aware of the emotional intensity caused by continued frustration, “You know how troubled I am; you have kept a record of my tears.”  So, what does this mean to us today?   It means that  there is no hurt that goes unnoticed by God.  He has seen it all, He sees it all, and will continue to see it all — He knows exactly what we are feeling.

Have you experienced times that you have you felt that those around you in the church who are spiritual leaders have abandoned you at the hour of need?   In Galatians 6, there is instruction about the matter of hurting people and the spiritual responsibility to them, “Brethren, if you over take your brother in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering your own self, lest you also be tempted.  Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. ”  While people may,  at times, fall idly through the fault lines of ministry in the church,  one thing we can be certain of is that,  God knows exactly what you are going through,  where you are at, and is concerned about what is happening in your frustration.

Often when people are hurting it is common to feel isolated,  very lonely,  even when there are people all around.  Maybe there’s been a death in the family,  a divorce, maybe a lost job and you feel the sting of the crisis deeply.  What an ideal time it could be for some spiritual person to come alongside and encourage, restore, and minister a sense of Godly concern.  However,  because no one calls, no one comes by to check on the person,  they feel all alone, isolated, and think, “Nobody understands the way I feel, nobody can tell the way I feel, nobody feels the pain.”  You may feel like that even right now, but let me assure you of one thing: no matter what you are going through, God knows.  He understands our hurts,  the feeling of isolation, and the frustration that is being experienced.

In Psalm 103:13-14,  instruction is provided for readers to realize that God’s loving concern is always faithful, “He is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic for he knows what we are made of — dust.” He’s our creator.  The fact is:  God is sympathetic to my hurts and your hurts. Not only does He see, He cares.  God understands why it happened.

He knows the causes, the reasons, the things that brought you to this point.  He sees how it all fits together.  The Bible says He understands because He made us.  He knows my thoughts, my failures, my feelings, my frustrations.  He sees the hurt in your heart.  While no one else may care enough to … , God is always present in the hour of need – He is omniscient.  Placing your trust in religious people,  preachers,  prophets,  and churches is often the route that leads to disappointment — God is always faithful to you because He knows and continues to love — no matter what.

What should I do?  In Psalm 142:3 it tells us that,  “When I am ready to give up,  He knows what I should do.”  It is God that has the answer and holds the future in His hand.  Others may tell you that your just over-reacting or make you feel like what is happening to you is not important, but listen; it is important to understand that God is not only omniscient,  He is sovereign and is uniquely interested in all that is happening in your life.  You may be ready to give up, but God is not.  He knows what is happening and what you ought to do– He has a plan for your life.

If He sees and understand the pain that you feel, what should you do right now?  A place to begin is in 1 Peter 5:7, where a solution is provided, “Cast all your cares on the Lord, for He cares for you.”  Cast them all permanently,  once and for all and don’t take them back.  Give Him your hurts just like you give Him your faults,  every area of your life.   Then, let God resolve the frustration that you feel about your life, what has happened, and what the future will hold.  He is omniscient and He is sovereign.

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What Does God Really Know about the Things Others Don’t See?

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My ShameIf God knows all about himself, creation, and all of history; then, how much does he know about the personal and often times hidden details of our lives? In Psalm 139, a description is recorded of what God knows about who we really are. The psalmist says that He is intimately acquainted with every detail of our lives. Many people will profess that they believe that God knows everything. However, when attitudes, behaviors, and motives are examined under the scrutiny of how God views the reality of our lives, it might be concluded that we really do not believe or maybe we really do not care what God thinks about what is happening today in our lives. Therefore, do we really believe that God has infinite knowledge and if we do what does he know about us?

He knows all our failures and yet still loves us. In Psalm 69:5 it says, “My sins, O God, are not hidden from you; you know how foolish I have been.” How embarrassing it is that God knows everything about us. The fact is, sometimes we want to forget the omniscience of God because it’s a little uncomfortable. It is painful for me to realize I don’t have any secrets from God. There are some things I’d rather God not know about me. But I don’t have any secrets and neither do you. God knows everything.

When we do something wrong, we try to hide our sins, sneak them past God, put them in the closet and lock the door but God knows what’s behind that locked door. Remember Adam, who when he sinned, ran away and hid– as if you can hide from God. When God came down walking through the Garden and asked, “Adam, where are you?” Was it that he did not know the answer already? No, but rather when God asks a question we must understand that it is never for information, never for His benefit. God knew exactly where Adam was. Adam needed to know where he was. Remember what God asked Cain, “Where’s your brother Abel?” Abel had been killed and He wanted Cain to admit it.

In Proverbs 5:21, it is recorded that “a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths.” We always have an audience. Nothing can ever be said that is “off the record.” God is always watching, we are always on stage, there is no secret closet. Everything that is thought, everything seen, everything felt — God sees it all. He knows all about it.

That means this week when you were on your diet and you got up for one of those midnight refrigerator raids and you open the refrigerator or freezer and think, “Just one bite…” The devil has a line for us then. He says, “No one will ever know.” So we go ahead and do it and then, afterward he hits us with another question, “What if they find out?” “What if my parents find out about what I’ve been doing– My wife/husband—boss– IRS?” And worry sets in like a nagging case of indigestion. Unfortunately, we have already been found out. God knows and He’s the one who counts. Yes, he knows all of our faults and failures.

The truth is that God is not shocked by my sin. He’s already seen it. He saw it coming. When we confess to Him the things we’ve done wrong, He’s not shocked. He saw it coming: “I know, I understand. I know why it happened. I know why you ended up in that situation.” He understands our faults and our failures.

What should we do at this point? Just be honest with God. Just admit it. The Bible says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Just admit that we are not fooling anybody. “You’re right God. I was wrong.” God knows everything about me. He already knows all I’ve done wrong and He still loves me. When I admit it to Him, it never changes the way He feels about me, because He already knows. He loves me and He loves me unconditionally. That means I don’t have to fake it, I don’t have to pretend.

Proverbs 28:13 tells us that, “Cover ups never work.” especially toward those who it counts most and that’s the Lord. God knows all my faults and failures.

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