I grew up in a small town. My folks had spies inside the school and throughout the community, so when I did this or that, my parents knew what I’d done before it was done. I couldn’t get away with anything. My folks were omniscient. They knew everything. Almost.
Our God actually does know everything. Nothing escapes His attention.
David, the psalmist, wrote, “Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up; you understand my thoughts from far away. You observe my travels and my rest; you are aware of all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it, Lord. You have encircled me; you have placed your hand on me. This wondrous knowledge is beyond me” (Psalm 139:1–6, CSB).
God “determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure” (Psalm 147:4–5, ESV).
He knows the trillions of celestial bodies by name, and He knows the number of hairs on each and every head. Jesus said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6–7, ESV).
“No creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13, ESV).
Think about it... Our glorious God has infinite power, He is unlimited by space or time, and He has boundless knowledge and wisdom. We should meditate upon the significance of these attributes; we should ponder His greatness and be thankful!
But get this. There is actually something that God has chosen to forget. My sin, atoned for at the cross, pardoned, forgiven... is forgotten by the omniscient God!
God declares, “I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25, ESV).
God revealed the new covenant to Jeremiah. “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant ... I will be their God, and they shall be my people ... For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:31–34, ESV).
The beloved disciple wrote, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, CSB). He washes my sin down the drain.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12, CSB). “He will again have compassion on us; he will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19, CSB).
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for knowing all about me, and loving me still!
South Georgia Baptist Church
Amarillo, Texas
Mike Martin, Pastor
mike@southgeorgiabaptistchurch.org