God Knows Me

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our reading was written by Karen Huang, and she titled it, God Knows Me. When my sister found a storybook from our childhood, my mom, now in her 70s, was delighted. She remembered all the funny details about a bear who stole honey and got chased by a swarm of angry bees. She also remembered how my sister and I laughed as we anticipated the bear's escape. Thank you for always telling us stories when we were kids, I told my mom. She knows my whole story, including what I was like as a young child.

Now that I'm an adult, she still knows and understands me. God knows us too, deeper than any human being can, including ourselves. In Psalm 139, David says he's searched us. In his love, he's examined us and understands us perfectly. God knows our thoughts, understanding the reasons behind and meanings of what we say. He's intimately familiar with every detail that makes us who we are, and he uses this knowledge to help us. He who knows us most doesn't turn away in distaste, but reaches out to us with his love and wisdom. When we feel lonely, unseen, or forgotten, we can be secure in the truth that God is always with us, sees us, and knows us. He knows all the sides of us that others don't, and more. Like David, we can say with confidence, you know me, your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Psalm 139, verses 1 through 10. 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. Let's pray. Loving Father, thank you for always being with us, seeing us, and knowing us completely, even when we feel lonely or forgotten. Hold us fast in your loving embrace, guide us with your hand, and help us find comfort and security in the truth of your constant presence. Thank you, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Joyce Dinkins, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.