Day 354 

Haggai 1:1-2:23; Revelation 11:1-19; Psalm 139:1-24; Proverbs 30:15-16

Knowledge Too Wonderful

Does this sound familiar, “…and from you no secrets are hid”? We open Holy Communion with a prayer including this phrase each Sunday. The first eight verses of Psalm 139 explain that God knows every aspect of our lives, including what we will say next, even our thoughts. Then the psalmist proclaims, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.” There is nothing that can replace our omniscient God, and there is no place to hide from Him. He continues. Is that too wonderful? But there is more: all of our days are recorded in the mind of God. He knew us and knitted us in the womb. All of our decisions, of every path we may take, He has foreknowledge. Does anyone think that God is surprised by actions taken or words spoken? Hardly. More wonderful knowledge: God does not experience darkness, He is able to guide us always as a lamp unto our feet.

Because He knows our prayer, should we then not say it? Since He knows our sins, shall we not confess them? In Exodus 14:15, Moses has just told the people of Israel that God will fight for them, but when Moses prays, God’s response is a bit of a surprise. “Why do you cry to me?” God then instructs Moses to lift up his staff, stretch out his hand, and tell the Israelites to move forward. Believe and lead.

We stand before God who has knowledge, power, and holiness too wonderful for us to comprehend, yet He wants us to seek His will and act accordingly. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Joe Pollock
St. Peter’s Church
Lake Mary, FL