The Lord Knoweth...

God's all-knowledge is a doctrine of great comfort to believers.

How it is that God can—and does—know all things is a mystery to me. Some believe that God knows all things because He decrees and orders all things. That seems too simple an explanation. Freedom of choice and personal responsibility are taught throughout the Scriptures, and the doctrine of decrees reduces or eliminates man's free choice. Also, the doctrine that God decrees—and therefore knows everything—appears to make God the author of sin, a position difficult to harmonize with the whole of Bible teaching.

That God knows all things is part of the mystery of the Infinite —just as are His untarnishable holiness and His self-existent life. This knowledge of God's all-knowledge is "too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."

God knows His own purposes and providences. "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world." Yes, God lets me in on some of His ways since He counts me as His friend. But His ways are higher than mine, so I often have to trust Him to do what I cannot understand. God is working according to His own plan; He knows what He is doing and what the glorious result will be.

God knows me, my large possibilities and my limiting weaknesses. "He knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust." He treats me with discipline and firmness that I may rise to all He expects of me, and with mildness and patience that I may not become discouraged over my infirmities.

God knows what a cunning and powerful tempter assails us. In the days of His flesh, Jesus "suffered, being tempted." Sin was not a force that Jesus casually met and, with ease, defeated. He alone knows how treacherous enticement to evil can be, so He promises that I shall never "be tempted above that [I am] able.

God knows "how to deliver the godly out of temptations." Some teach that I am quite at the mercy of these strong temptations, and should I consider my own strength alone, I know that I would be doomed to helpless struggle against many inevitable defeats. But God has promised to "deliver me from every evil work, and . . . preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom."

God knows that I love Him and want to serve Him. What unspeakable comfort this is to me! "The Lord knoweth them that are His," and inwardly His Spirit bears witness with mine that I am His.

"Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee."

--George E Failing