“Oh, that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his seat!
I would lay my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
I would know what he would answer me
and understand what he would say to me.
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; he would pay attention to me.
There an upright man could argue with him,
and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive him;
on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;
he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold…
But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back?
What he desires, that he does.
For he will complete what he appoints for me,
and many such things are in his mind.” Job 23:3-10,13-14
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
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.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether…
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.” Psalm 139:1-4,6
When Job’s friends accused him, his defense was tethered to his omniscient, loving Lord. Through physical and emotional agony, he worshiped this Sovereign who knew him inside out. He felt distant and alone in his suffering, but trusted the invisible God was near, completing all He’d appointed in these trials. (Job 1:20-22)
Those we adore stay on our minds. Deep affection and hope for their best well up in benevolent pondering and desire. We hurt when they hurt, and cannot help but long for God’s best in every situation.
We are always on God’s mind. The infinite Creator knows us by name, and every detail about all that concerns us, and cares. He holds His affection and attention on us for good. Does this not comfort? (Isaiah 43:1-5a)
What causes fear of being known? Are there attitudes and habits we’d rather keep secret, choices we prefer making without His input? Are we aloof toward Him, insisting on isolation, keeping hidden from assessment, admonition, or even loving concern? Are there hurts that have so broken us we feel beyond repair? Our loving God, infinite in energy and scope of thought, knows all, and cares! (Psalm 10:4,11; 1 Peter 5:7)
God knows our deepest sins, and unveils them to bring us freedom in their cleansing. He knows our intimate longings and desires, and ministers temperance, discernment, and soul satisfaction. He knows our every responsibility, with attending feelings of inadequacy or being overwhelmed, and meets us in His sufficiency. He knows our heart hurts- false accusations, criticism, or being ignored- and is present in sweetest friendship. He knows and translates each wordless phrase in our worshiping spirits, and is honored. May we marvel at this heavenly comfort! (Romans 8:26)
Father, keep me in Your all-knowing, abiding presence as You work Your good plans. Steady me through all that is required and transpires that I might bring You glory.
As the rain and snow 