Great and mighty is our Lord; his wisdom cannot be measured. Psalm 147:5, GNT

 

 

When we were children, we were told by adults not to be naughty, not to use foul language and not think bad thoughts because God is omniscient. Although we did not know the full meaning of the word, we understood that it meant God knows everything we do and say. We were even told that everything you’ve ever did or said will be written in a book, and when you die, you will have to explain what was written down.

 

The word omniscient does not appear anywhere in the Bible. It is a word that people created to explain a very important characteristic of God. I referred to the Internet to find a definition of the word and found: “a state of possessing all the knowledge there is or the quality to know all”.

 

The idea that God knows everything can sometimes be frightening. Many people see God as very strict, someone who is constantly trying to catch us out at the smallest misstep. Surely, the Bible does warn us not to keep trespassing, but that is only part of the story. Yes, God does know about all we do and think.

 

But in Psalm 147 we read that his unmeasurable knowledge and his omniscience is coupled to his greatness and omnipotence. Although God knows about my wrongdoings, he is so compassionate and almighty that he can and will forgive me, as is demonstrated by Jesus when he died on the cross for us. That is what John meant when he said that even when our conscience condemns us, “we have courage in God’s presence”. God is greater than our conscience because he is all-knowing.

 

We cannot hide anything from God, and it is really not necessary to try.

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we know that you know everything about us, and we want to thank you that as your redeemed children, we can praise you for knowing all about us. Thank you for also knowing when we are sad and worried. Amen