Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. The prompt this week is … Before.
Psalm 139 is most often quoted to remind us of the preciousness of life in the womb. Yet there is a verse even before the oft quoted “You formed my inward parts” which astounds me each time the words are before me.
“O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.”
(verses 1-4, NLT)
God knows every aspect of every day of each of our lives. He knows when we are sitting, and standing. He knows when we are at home, at work, at the store, and on vacation. He knows everything we do.
And He knows what we are going to say even before we say it, yet He still invites us to come before Him and pray about everything.
He never tires of hearing our voices. He doesn’t stop us because He fully knows what we are going to say. He doesn’t tune us out because we it is repetitive. He discerns our thoughts and hearts, already knows, and He still listens.
There is not a single word in our thoughts or on our tongues which is unknown to Him.
He knows every one before we utter any single word.
This is our God who is infinitely vast, almighty in power, and who has divine and complete knowledge. It beings me comfort to think this is our God, and He is infinite and intimate with each one of us.
Today I am joining …
For Lent, I have begun a practice of praying each morning for people I am not especially close to. I started this morning with a prayer for someone and got completely off track before I realized what was going on in my mind. It is such a blessing to read these verses today. God knows my intent, even if my all-too-human brain goes in circles and never says what I really want it to say.
I appreciate your words here, Joanne, especially “before we utter any single word.” I’ve been thinking a lot about words recently and the regrets that follow the occasional ill-considered or ill-timed words. Your post reminds me that He knows us as we’ve been, as we are, and how we will be. It gives me hope.
How very true, Natalie. I am so grateful for the words He has covered for me!
He is so gracious, isn’t He, Jo?
Amazingly so! xo
God knows the things that we will say
before the thought appears,
but we need say it anyway,
come laughter or come tears.
In His Image we were formed,
and always must endeavour
to comprehend the purpose born
in lives unto forever.
Our thoughts expressed in word and deed
show consequence, intent,
and facing them is what we need
that our hearts be heaven-sent,
and that, at last, we may begin,
through the Blood, to transfigure sin.
Isn’t that wonderful….that He knows what we are going to say, yet He does not tune us out, tire of our words and even longs to commune with us!?! So humbling and so encouraging!!
he knows us full well doesn’t he? It’s a good thing visiting from FMF#2
This is just beautiful, Joanne. God is the perfect Parent, isn’t He? I agree … this is such a comfort. 🙂
I often start my prayers with “it’s me again” because it’s easy to think God tires of hearing my same requests, needs, and failures but……how comforting and reassuring to know He doesn’t think like we think and that He never tired of our voices! Thank you for this reminder Joanne!