The LORD Knows

One of the greatest desires of every heart is to be known by another, someone who is aware of all their layers.  These powerful truths are laid out for us in Psalm 139.

O LORD you have searched me and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word in on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Psalm 139:1-6

The name LORD refers to our covenant God.  You see the LORD desires to have a connection and a relationship with you.  The psalmist says that the LORD has searched him.  The word “searched” refers to careful scrutiny such as in mining operations, excavations and in explorations of countries.  While in Jerusalem I was able to visit a city that was discovered recently through archaeological excavations.  The tour guide showed us a few areas where archaeologist had found layers of civilizations.  A city would be built, then an earthquake would occur and over time the city would be covered up.  Then a new city would be built above that city and it too would be covered up by earthquake or mudslide over time.  The people would just keep building one city on top of another.  But, the archaeologists, after careful search and much digging, have uncovered one layer after another of roads, buildings, and even kingdoms.  The LORD carefully searches our minds and hearts because He desires to have a relationship with us.  As God searched the layers of our lives, He knows us.  The word know means to perceive, understand, to be familiar with and to be aware.  The LORD is aware of you and understands you. He can peel off the layers of our lives to reveal the origin of our hurts, hopes, anger and dysfunction.  The LORD knows us from the inside out.

The LORD knows our dwelling places. The word sit means to dwell or rest.  Where are you dwelling or in whom are you resting? What is your mind dwelling on and what is your emotions sitting in?  The LORD knows.  To rise means to rise up, establish, and strengthen.  The Key Word Study Bible Lexicon states, “Used of individuals standing up from a sitting, kneeling or reclining position. It refers (also) to the confirmation of a person, oath, decree, or existing situation.”  We can only rise from where we have been sitting or from whom we have been resting in.  If you have been sitting in bitterness, you will rise in anger or revenge.  If you are resting in God, you will rise in confirmation of His strength and His love.

In fact the LORD not only knows when you sit and when you rise, but He also knows what you are thinking about when you sit or rise! To perceive means to discern, observe, pay attention to, and to understand. In other words the LORD is paying attention to not only when you sit and when you rise, but He also knows how you perceive Him when you do what you do.   

Yet you know me, O LORD; you see me and test my thoughts about you.”

Jeremiah 12:3

The Word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to diving soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

The LORD knows the attitude of your heart. Do you trust Him in your sitting, thinking that He is the God who knows what is best? Are you rising up because you know the truth that you can do all things through Him who gives you strength? If your answer to either of these questions is no, then take the time to get to know the One who knows all about you.  In order to live the full life God intended, get to know the LORD and who you are in relation to Him. The LORD is aware of your layers, your circumstances, pays attention to your thoughts, knows all about you and still desires a relationship with you!  You are fully known and fully loved!

Known by Him,

Nancy