26th. March. 2022. Daily Devotion.

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139:1-6

God knows everything. Theologians speak of His omniscience — omni meaning all, and science meaning knowing about the universe. It is hard to quite comprehend this. As large as the universe is — and it is really big! — God knows everything. He numbers the hairs on our head, Jesus tells us; He counts every sparrow that dies. There is no question He cannot answer, no problem so great that He cannot solve it. He never gets confused and cannot be surprised.

Some people find this unsettling, but most Christians find great comfort that there is someone who knows what’s going on.

God’s omniscience, if we really take it to heart, can help us tremendously when we face temptation. If we do not know what to do in a certain situation, maybe the realization that God is with us, watching us and pulling for us, will help us figure out the right choice.

Or what if we know the right choice but face powerful temptation? Thinking that God is watching might be painful to us in the short run, but a big help in the long run; for sin hurts us, no matter how good it feels or how strong an obsession or compulsion that leads us astray. M. Barge

Lord, let me always remember you are with me and know what I am doing. Amen.

Praise to you, O Lord, for the jewel of sight, the treasure of hearing and the glory of speech. Open our eyes to your glory, our ears to your word and our mouths to proclaim your goodness; now and for ever. Amen. Thomas Traherne (1636-74)

God of all grace, you do not need us to agree with one another, but you do call us to love one another just as you love us. We know your love to be generous and gracious. You created us to be a part of your diverse creation, richer for being a gift, not a threat, to one another. Give us courage every day, not just to worship you but to follow where your love leads. Amen.

Prayer for Refugees and Victims of War

Lord God ,no one is a stranger to you
and no one is ever far from your loving care.
In your kindness, watch over refugees and victims of war,
those separated from their loved ones, young people who are lost,
and those who have left home or who have run away from home.
Bring them back safely to the place where they long to be
and help us always to show your kindness to strangers and to all in need.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within me all this day; and whatever I do in word or deed, may I do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Amen. (from Colossians 3)