O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

– Psalm 139:1-4

In the Gospel of St. Luke, Jesus tells the parable of a woman who loses a coin, seeks diligently until she finds it, and rejoices greatly when it is found.  I used to understand this parable to mean that a person should diligently search for God and rejoice mightily upon finding him.  As far as it goes, this might be a suitable interpretation.

But just like the coin was entirely unable to find its owner, we are entirely unable to find God on our own.  Turning the parable around, we see it is the Lord who is doing the seeking, the finding, and the rejoicing.  It turns our desire to “know God” into being “known by God.”

The psalmist says “O Lord, you have searched me and known me.”  As impossible as it seems, God Almighty, King of the Universe knows me by name, including my thoughts, my ways, my words, and every detail of my life.  This truth is beyond my comprehension.  It is ridiculous grace!  God loves me so much that he gives me mercy, forgiveness and eternal life through the gift of faith in His Son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

This truth is expressed in the song, “Known” sung by Tauren Wells.  We are “Fully known and loved by God!”  I encourage you to listen.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for loving me.  Keep me in your care this day; my thoughts, my words, and my actions.  Help me to love others as you love me.  Amen

Contributed by Susan Hathcock

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Bible Reading

Read Psalm 139 and record any insights you gain here.

Call to Connection

Reflect on how you think people would react if they really knew you. Use the space below to write a short prayer thanking God that He knows everything about you and still loves you.