Rejoice In God’s Omniscience
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
(Romans 8:29)
By Guy Roberson
By “omniscience” is meant having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight; possessed of universal or complete knowledge; all-knowing. There are no words in Hebrew or Greek for omniscience. Biblical writers simply describe the various things God knows. We can see that He is perfect in knowledge (Job 36:4) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight (Heb. 4:13) and no one teaches God anything, He seeks no counsel from anyone outside the Godhead himself. (Job. 12:13). The Psalmist expressed God’s knowledge of us this way: “O Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways” (Psa. 139:1-3). Do you think if we truly understood and believed that God knows what we are doing, what we really wanted to do, what we say and what we think it would change the way we live? Surely, this is an awesome thought.
Someone has pointed out that in every person, there are four different people: the person whom the neighbors see, the person whom one’s family sees, the person whom the person himself sees, and the person whom God sees. The person God sees is the most important of these four things. While this may cause alarm or dread for those who have not obeyed the Gospel; it is a great blessing and cause for rejoicing among Christians.
First, in knowing all things, God knows the worst there is to know about us. Some think since He is Holy it is impossible for us to win his commendation. But as holy as He is—He is also merciful, gracious and compassionate. It is because of these qualities he has loved us and saved us by sending His own beloved Son to die on Calvary for us (John 3:16). We must not fear that some terrible thing we have done in the past will rise up to expose our shame. Remember that God knows all there is to know about us and nothing can happen that isn’t already known by God.
Second, people are cruel. They judge often harshly. They know only part of the truth concerning us. They are not patient with our infirmities. But we are safe in the hands of God. He knows the worst in us, and our deeds—but he also knows the best. Christ has been tempted in all points as we are, and has suffered, being tempted; he understands, therefore, the power of temptation and can pity us in our weakness and faintness. He knows when our repentance is true, and when we really love him—though we have so grievously sinned. Peter, when the question was put to him after his fall, “Peter, do you love me?” could make his appeal to his Master’s infinite knowledge: “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” We may safely make our plea before God himself, rather than before man. We may trust our lives, therefore, to God’s judgment, even if they are full of defects and flaws. He knows all, and will bring to light all the hidden things.
Third, God knows what He is going to make of us. “For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Ro 8:29). In doing this, Paul assures us of praise from God. “Then shall each man have his praise from God.” Think of having God praise you, “Come, you who are blessed of my Father. You have been faithful.” Rejoice! When God bolts the door, don’t try to get in through the window. The will of God never will lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you. Source Unknown.
From “Daily Devotions by Guy Roberson”
By
Guy
Roberson
From Expository Files 23.9; September 2016
