God Knows You

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our reading, titled God Knows You, was written by Kimya Loader. It seems my mother can sense trouble from a mile away.

Once, after a rough day at school, I tried to mask my frustration, hoping that no one would notice. What's the matter? she asked. Then she added, Before you tell me it's nothing. Remember, I'm your mother. I gave birth to you, and I know you better than you know yourself. My mom has consistently reminded me that her deep awareness of who I am helps her be there for me in moments when I need her most. As believers in Jesus, we're cared for by a God who knows us intimately. The psalmist David praised him for his attentiveness to the lives of his children, saying in Psalm 139, You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise. You perceive my thoughts from afar. Because God knows who we are, our every thought, desire, and action, there's nowhere we can go where we're outside the bounds of his abundant love and care. As David wrote, If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me. We can find comfort knowing that no matter where we are in life, when we call out to God in prayer, he'll offer us the love, wisdom, and guidance we need.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Psalm 139, verses 1-12. You have searched me, Lord, and you 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, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me.

Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you. The night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Let's pray. Loving God, many times we feel misunderstood and alone. Thank you for reminding us of your presence in our life. We know you see us, hear us, and love us, even when it seems like no one else does. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Toni Collier, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.