Forget-Me-Nots Along The Way

Attributes of God, Part One

For many years I have been doing inductive Bible studies from Kay Arthur and Precept Ministries.  I am currently starting the 3rd of 4 on Romans.  It's hard starting back up this year without my friend Laura.  But I guess now that she is with the Lord...she probably has the answers to all the questions!  I still miss her though!

Before delving into chapters 9,10,11, we are studying the attributes of God.  One of the challenges is to journal about how they effect you or how you might grow in your faith or do things differently if I apply the truths of his attributes to my life.  I thought I would like to share my journaling here.  This is mostly for myself.  I'm no great theologian.  Just a simple woman who loves the Lord and enjoys writing.  I welcome sincere comments and suggestions, just please no attacks!  Thank you.

God is omniscient, which means that He knows all. 

Job 37:16 says, "Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge?" NIV

"O Lord, you have searched me and know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise, you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down, you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord.  You hem me in behind and before; you have laid your hand on me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain."  Psalm 139:1-6

To me it is comforting to know that God knows everything.  Knowledge makes me feel safe; if I can understand things I can think more clearly and make better decisions.  I also have less anxiety about the outcome.  I can't know everything.  That is somehow comforting too.  If I knew everything I would be horrified, hurt and definitely overwhelmed.  Knowing everything would carry burden and responsibility.  I am not equipped to handle that!

I could apply the understanding of this attribute more effectively in my life.  Too often I catch myself trying to handle everything, then only when I fail, I go to God.  Psalm 139 says that God searches me, knows me and understands me.  Isn't that what most of us want in life, is to be understood?  To be known? What an awesome God to love me enough to take that time amongst the billions and billions of people, to know me.  If He knows me this well, then I need to TRUST Him.  If He knows everything, including my thoughts, feelings and actions, then He should be trusted to make the best decisions for me!

He is perfect in knowledge.  He knows my thoughts.  This brings comfort, but also conviction.  Am I having thoughts that I should not have or that I would not tell Him to His face?  Maybe I should be more aware of my thought life! Where can we go to hide from God?  Nowhere!  And His love, grace and mercy are so rich that I no longer have a desire to hide from Him.  Instead I want Him to purify my heart to be worthy to be in His presence.  I want to learn more and grow.  I want to quit being a mediocre example of His love and light in the world and shine! 

Please forgive me Lord for walking in my own pride.  Help me to walk humbly before You; help me not to shame You, but to glorify You in all my ways. Thank you Lord that You do know everything!  Thank You that I can rest assured that You know all the big and little things that matter to me, that hurt me, that bring me joy and all the things I need to change or let go and all the new things I need to try.  Thank You for knowing me!  Amen!