In Psalm 139:1-6, we read:
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 far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it.
In many ways, that’s quite a scary thought. We cannot lie to God; he knows the truth. In fact, he knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows all about our daily lives, when we sit, and when we rise. He knows all our ways, our mannerisms and character traits, our motives and goals. He even knows what we’re going to say and think, before even we do. A scary thought indeed.
But there are a couple of ways that, for me, make this a comforting thought too:
We don’t have to pretend with God; he knows us. We don’t have to try and be the person we think others want us to be; he knows who we really are. It’s the real person who we are that God wants, and calls into his service.
And, despite him knowing us so intimately, knowing all the bad things in our lives and character as well as the good, already knowing the things about us that we’re ashamed of, as well as those we’re proud of, he still loves us. God loves the real us, the real me — warts and all!
It’s because of that love that we can rely on him in strength, and rest on him in weakness.
Almighty God,
you search us and know us:
may we rely on you in strength
and rest on you in weakness,
now and in all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Additional Collect for The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council
About Paul Sibley
Andrew Gosden (now 18) has been missing from his Doncaster home since 14 September 2007. The search continues.
Elizabeth Jackson on 
It’s not scary, I’m glad knows my faults and all my short comings as He is the only one who is on my side, He will not condemn me but rather, He supports me. Knowing He is for me, gives me strength to my human frailty. I can never be perfect but I can draw upon the strength and Love that He shows me by knowing me. So I want to open my full self to Him and ask Him to help me each and every day. Each and every moment. Selah.
It’s really odd to find something that’s scary and yet comforting at the same time; they’re emotions that you would think are mutually exclusive. And I guess with another human being, they would be. But with God anything is possible.
So I rejoice in the comfort I feel because he knows me that well, while at the same time finding the thought of someone knowing me that well a little scary. But, best of all, knowing that, despite all of that, God still loves me.
I’m a little envious of you Steve. Are you a “glass half full” kind of person? I tend, too often, to lean towards being a “glass half empty” type, especially when talking about myself. I’m usually really optimistic when thinking of others, but far too pessimistic when thinking of myself. Completely mixed up! But loved by God nevertheless.
Loved by God more than you know Paul. Im just an ordinary guy. My only difference is that I had a real black and white conversion in 1989. I was lost but He saved me and it was a wonderful event that ran over a number of months. But my turning to God was real and He really did change my life. Today I am a person of contemplative faith and feel I have grown in my walk except for the fact that I have only just crossed the start line. There is a long way to go. Is the glass half full or empty, well the question should be, who’s round is it! When we can find God in the most mundane areas of life, then we find His real presence and begin to understand how we should open ourselves up to His love. There is a beautiful retreat monastery in Crawley not far from Gatwick and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a silent weekend retreat. God will touch you there like you have never experienced before and in total silence. Just shout if you would like more info. If you could get there you will have your life of faith enriched beyond all measure. Be strong and allow yourself to be selfish about God’s Love for YOU!
I’m hoping I may be able to get away on Retreat sometime before the end of the year. I’ve always been to Walsingham in the past — even if only for a day trip; but it might be good to try somewhere different. So, yes please, details of the place in Crawley would be appreciated.
It sounds to me as though you’ve done a bit more than just cross the start line Steve. Your comments are always appreciated on here — as are everyone’s of course — you always seem to get me thinking in different ways about what I’ve written, thank you.
Must be my round, I think!
Paul, this link gives you the address of the Monastery and the abbots name. He is a wonderful man and I have the pleasure of hearing him preach. Drop them a line when you have a date or weekend in mind for a visit. It is a bit of a way to go from your home but worth making the journey!
http://www.orders.anglican.org/arcyb/cswg.html
Your round…. yippee, mine’s a pint of the good stuff!
Thanks Steve.