Contemplating Omniscience

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines omniscience as; having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight. From the Latin word omnisciens (“omnis”, all + “sciens” and  “scire” to know). God knows all things perfectly, past, present, and future as well as all the implications of time and space.

I’m fascinated by the fact that God knows everything, it’s when I take time to contemplate the implications His omniscience has in my life that I stand in awe of Him. God knows us completely before we know ourselves.

This line of thinking can be comforting and frightening at the same time. I know it encourages me when I consider passages such as Ephesians 2:10 where Paul writes, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” I must trust Him and follow, He knows more about it than I do.

We are redeemed with a specific purpose in mind, going to heaven is the by-product of redemption not the purpose of it. By God’s grace through faith, we can be confident that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion if we cooperate with Him.

Contemplating Omniscience

King David tells God, “You have searched me, LORD, 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 is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.”- Psalm 139:1-4

David thoroughly ponders the reality of God’s omniscience. I’m awestruck by reading David’s words, our every thought, word, and action is noted weighed and accounted for! In verse three the word rendered “discern” carries the idea to winnow, this depicts the agricultural process of separating the chaff from the grain.

God Discerns Every Thought Before We Do

God examines our thoughts separating the good from the bad, weighing the motives behind each one before we know we’re going to think them! David addresses God with this saying,”you perceive my thoughts from afar.”  David must have been speechless realizing that God is so far ahead of us he completely understands every word before we speak them (verse 4). God will help us get our thinking straight if we’ll listen.

David’s thoughts of the vastness of God will sometimes overwhelm him.  His intense reflections of God causes him to assess himself in the light of God’s Omniscience. I picture David the warrior king standing in awe of the only Sovereign King over all creation.

The insight David receives from this line of thinking restructures his core values, shifting his perspective on life in general, and keeps him focused on his purpose. David understands God’s mercy toward him and relies on God’s wisdom and power whenever he’s in need.

Wise Counsel 

David passes this insight on to his son Solomon when he was about to begin his reign as king saying, “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought.

If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” (see 1 Chronicles 28:9-10).

David walks out his purpose before God and has it in his heart to build the temple, God chose Solomon to be the one to build it (see 1Chron 22:6-10, 28:11-18). Yet, because it was the desire of David’s heart God gives him the blueprints for its construction and allows him to make the necessary preparations (1 Chronicles 28:19).

His Grace is Sufficient

God’s guidance is flawless and like David, He’s gifted us for a purpose and called us for a season.  He’s appointed where and when we’ll be the most effective in our service to Him. All our days are numbered, and God knows each of them. From the cradle to the grave God has us covered.

We’re never alone without the guidance, provisions or the support needed to accomplish our assignment. David says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” -Psalm 139:7-10

  
Paul the apostle was so focused when it came to his assignment he says, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” – Philippians 3:12  He says again, “…I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me…” – Acts 20:24

God has all the answers to your questions before you know to ask Him. Be content with God’s guidance and timing and Keep these four things in mind:

• Call upon God for wisdom when making decisions  
• Consider the benefits of His omniscience and ask for His counsel
• When you make mistakes He will help you make the necessary changes
• Be confident of His guidance and provisions to help you accomplish your assignment