If He knows . . .

My mom used to tell the story of when I was about eight or nine years old, someone had drawn (etched) pictures in the vinyl kitchen table cloth with one of those church key can openers. When she returned to the kitchen area and noticed the destruction she demanded to know who was responsible. No one confessed. She then asked me point blank, “Joe, did you do this?” “No mama, I didn’t do it.” Then she said to my brother, “Billy, did you do it?” “No mama, I didn’t do it either.” Finally, to my little sister, “Fran, did you ruin this table cloth?” “No mama, I didn’t do it.” With resignation mama then said, “That’s all right, the baby Jesus knows who did it.” Then with the apprehension of youthful anticipation I exclaimed, “He didn’t see me do it, did He?”

The dictionary defines “omniscient” this way: “having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things.” Yes, “He knows if you’ve been bad or good . . .” but He’s not Santa Claus . . . He’s God. You might be wondering about this very thing, does God know what I’m going through? Does He care about my needs? Is He aware of my desperate situation? Well, He can’t not know and still be God. The Bible assures us “God knows your hearts.” (Luke 16:15), and “Your Father knows your needs.” (Matt. 6:8) and “He knows the thoughts of everyone.” (Psalms 94:11). Further, He loves you beyond your capacity to understand; not just when you’re good but when you are acting the prodigal. Well then, you might wonder, if He loves me and He knows my need, why does He not help me? Perhaps, as in the case of the runaway son in Luke 15 He’s waiting for you to “look up” and cry out to Him. Be assured, “All that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37).