Yet He still desires intimacy with you

Second of a 4-part teaching series

by Jeana Kamp

Understanding that the attributes of God can only be ascribed to Him, it becomes less difficult to comprehend that God has no beginning or end…He is eternal. Neither is it beyond the grasp to believe that He is omnipotent. He is the Almighty having the power to create all things, sustain all things, and hold all things together.

The intricacies of creation – including the plant whose pollination is dependent on one and only one kind of bee whose weight is just enough to open up the flower when the bee lands – show that all power is God’s alone.

This is your Lord, Believer! And yet, this attribute is only one of many of the God of your salvation. Another aspect of Him is His omniscience – He knows all.

God’s knowledge defined

Wayne Grudem, in his book Bible Doctrine, gives this definition of His knowledge: God fully knows himself and all things actual and possible in one simple and eternal act. Job’s friend Elihu said that God was perfect in knowledge (Job 37:16), and John wrote, “he knows everything.” (I John 3:20)

Amazingly, the Lord is infinite – unlimited – yet He alone knows himself in detail. “No one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” (I Corinthians 2:11)

But that is not all. God knows instantly all things that can be known. His knowledge covers all time. He is never surprised, astonished or astounded.

Jesus’ love for you

When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion, the soldiers came to seize Him. He stepped forward “knowing all that would happen to him” and said, “I am he,” giving Himself up to suffer the pain and agony of the sins of the whole world (John 18:4-5). He knew what was coming, yet in His love for you He died so you might live. He conquered death giving you eternal life if you believe in Him.

What consolation you can have knowing how precious you are in God’s sight. “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up…[you] are acquainted with all my ways…For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb…Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:1-3, 13, 16) When Job’s health and wealth were taken from him, he said with confidence, “But he [the Lord] knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” (Job 23:10)

Prayer: intimate conversations

Even though your Heavenly Father knows all, He still desires you to pray to Him laying out your needs and wants, your concerns, and your thanksgiving for all He has done for you. Jesus instructed: “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret…And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases…for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:6-8) Yet He wants that intimate conversation with you so He can give you direction, support you in times of trial, and hear your praises as you see Him work in your life.

Scripture states numerous times that “the Lord knows those who are his.” (II Timothy 2:19) You are a saint in His sight and the Holy Spirit “intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.” (Romans 8:27-28) He is your Helper in all circumstances. Rely on Him in your personal life…and as you pray for the needs of this country.

For further study:

• I Samuel 23:1-14
• Hebrews 4:13
• Matthew 10:29-33
• Psalm 139

Jeana Kamp is a devotional and teaching article writer whose desire for her writing is that the love of God will be evident to each reader. A widow for 12 years but recently remarried, Jeana and her husband live in Gilbert, AZ.