He Knows

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65: 24

Isn’t it amazing that we know those closest to us so well that we can often tell exactly how they are feeling by the sound of their voices on the phone, or by the expression on their faces when we see them? And when we recognize despair, we immediately want to know and we listen intently as they pour out their hearts to us. We try to comfort and encourage them through the situation, but we often feel so helpless. But wouldn’t it be amazing if we could know these problems beforehand, could take care of them, and spare them the anxiety and pain we know they will go through?

Have you ever thought about how many times God must do this for us? We don’t always see what God sees or what He does. We may be too busy, too pre-occupied, or simply unaware of all the ways God keeps us in His care and provides for us daily. What we often see as just a normal day, coincidence, or good fortune, may actually be God’s providence or His blessing upon us. How much we take His love, His protection, and His mercy for granted!

Scripture tells us that God is all-knowing. He knows our past, our present, and our future. He already knows what we need before our prayers are even spoken, and He may have already provided, but He will listen as a loving Father would to His child. He is able to do anything we ask, but His love and will for us goes beyond our limited understanding. He knows better what we need than we do ourselves. It’s impossible for us to understand, but our God in His love, wisdom, and foreknowledge gives us not what we ask for, but something far better – what we need and what is best for us.

Sometimes His best for us is what we were praying for, and sometimes it isn’t. When God answers in the way we desire, our faith may be strengthened and we may give Him much praise. But when He doesn’t, and we suffer pain and loss, we may question His love for us. Yet, if we believe, trust in His love, and remember His promise that nothing – “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height not depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38 – 39), we will get through the difficult times. We will know He is carrying us and we can give Him praise for the strength and comfort He gives.

We can go through these difficult times alone or we can go through them with Him, trusting in His love and grace to get us through. He knows what we need and He will provide for us. His grace is sufficient. We must never forget that He loves us with a tender, compassionate, unconditional, and all-consuming love. How grateful we can be that He knows our every need before we even ask.

Prayer

Our heavenly Father, we are so grateful that you know us so well, you hear us, you know our needs, and you respond with love and care. Give us strength to trust in you in the uncertain times and have faith that you will always carry us through. Amen