Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC

Psalm 139:1-6
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

Growing up one of my mother’s favorite statements she would share with me was “Irvin, I know you better than that”. When she was away at work or running errands, she would give me a chores list and I was responsible for making sure they were finished. Every now and then she would call to check in on the progress. Every time when I wasn’t making progress I would try to fabricate the truth and everytime she would catch me in that lie.  Her response would usually be, “Irvin, I know you better than that. I gave birth to you.” Whether it was just a lucky guess every time, or mother’s intuition, she was correct just about every time so I took her at her word and made sure to get my chores done before I experienced her wrath when she got home.

My mother knows me well! However, listen friend the bible speaks about One who knows us even more intimately than even our loved ones do. In Psalm 139 the Psalmist highlights the reality that we are fully known by the Lord. He makes mention of how the Lord knows our innermost thoughts, our actions, and words even before we say them. When we take a second to reflect on said truth, it can become a bit overwhelming. Though He knows my darkest thoughts, though He knows the dark corners of my heart, He still loves and cares for me. The Psalmist highlights in the rest of the chapter of how God is always with him in spite of knowing everything about him.

For most believers there is a propensity to choose to conceal thoughts and sins from the Lord and from others. Whether it is choosing to keep up appearances at church, or keep from facing the consequences of bringing said thoughts/sins to light, we choose to try our very best to keep it under wraps when the Lord is telling us, “I know you better than that”. 

What if having the understanding of being fully known of the Lord become a freeing concept rather than one of gloom, doom, and condemnation? For some our choice of concealing that sin and hurt has led to being enslaved to bitterness instead of living the abundant life we were promised in Christ! Though the Lord knows everything about us, we are fully loved by Him as well. We are forever His children (Psalm 100:3), and He forever cares for us. 

What does this mean for us? When we stumble and fall into sin, instead of concealing it, choose to uncover it by bringing it to the Father in prayer. The promise is that the Lord will be faithful and just to forgive us all our sins according to His righteousness (1 John 1:9). When we find ourselves getting hurt, instead of concealing it, bring it before the Lord who knows that hurt and is able to heal your wounds (Psalm 147:3). Because we are fully known by our Lord, we ought to choose to be fully open to Him in prayer, understanding that He knows us and desires to meet us where we are!

So what are you trying to hide from the Lord today? Hidden sins? Hurts? The truth is He already knows about it so choose to take it to Him. It is when we choose to let go, we can experience the true freedom we have in Jesus. 

PRAYER FOR TODAY: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your love. In spite of knowing everything about me, your love for me does not change. Help me to choose to run to you with my hurts. Help for me to confess my sins to you and repent from them. Help me to understand the depths of your love and care for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Psalm 119:50:
This is my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise gives me life.