His knowledge = my comfort & joy!

Last night while watching a detective show, I noticed how those investigating a crime were able to discern when the people they interviewed were lying. Actors did a realistic imitation of the gestures and so on of those who are hiding something but proclaiming the opposite. Some people do have that ability in real life.

Imagine the discernment of God — how refreshing to know that God never mistakes outward appearance for reality, nor is led by the judgment of humans, particularly those who speak falsely. He laughs at our foolishness and ignorant judgements. Imagine God with no sounder discernment than we do and woe to sincere people who others think are hypocrites.

It is a joyful reality to know that God has infinite understanding. One day He will wipe off the dirt of worldly reproaches because He knows the least bit of grace and righteousness in the hearts of his people. He sees even the least saving faith, cherishes it, and will finish the work He has begun, not ever abandoning it.

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. (Matthew 12:20)

When it comes to prayer, He hears more than our words. One of my praying friends began our sessions covering her mouth for fear her words were inadequate, but Stephen Charnock rightly says that words are but the garment of prayer while meditation is the body, and affection is the soul and life of prayer. He points to verses like, “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation” (Psalm 5:1) to point out that prayer is a rational act of the mind. not the act of a parrot. It comes from the heart even though the speaking part is the work of the tongue. God gives ear to the words, but He considers the meditation of our hearts.

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. (Malachi 3:16)

This too is related to His vast and complete knowledge. He observes millions of sins committed at the same time, by a vast number of persons, to record them in order to punishment. He also distinctly discerns an infinite number of cries, all at the same moment, to register them in order to answer. A sigh cannot escape Him — even though it is crowded among a mighty multitude of cries from others, even though it might be covered with many unwelcome distractions in myself. It is like the believing touch from the woman that had the bloody issue was not concealed from Christ, nor was her cry undiscerned in the pressure of the multitudes. My groans are as audible and intelligible to Him as my words. He knows the mind of His own Spirit (who is prompting my thoughts) even if it is expressed in no plainer language than sobs and gasps.

And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27)
O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you. (Psalm 38:9)

PRAY: Oh Lord, such a blessing to read and think these realities about You and Your total knowledge, particularly regarding prayer. You hear the desires of my heart. Knowing You hear me makes up for the many times I’ve felt that no one is listening. Knowing You hear me, I can even say with the psalmist: “Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer. All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.” (Psalm 6:8–10) And this is the confidence that I have toward You, that if I ask anything according to Your will You hear me. And if I know that You hears me in whatever I ask, I know that I have the requests that I have asked of You. (1 John 5:14–15, personalized) You are utterly amazing!