I Know You

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/ra6ie)

“Then the Word of the Lord came unto me, saying ‘Before I formed you in the belly I knew you  . . .”

Jeremiah 1:4-5a

When we realize His omniscience is coupled with His Grace and Mercy, how can we resist Him and refuse to serve Him?

“He knows me.”

That’s the message of today’s Manna.  And, it’s certainly one we need to hear in this day-and-age of shallow and broken relationships, impersonal treatment by others, fear and suspicion, mistrust, etc.  This is also especially needed when guilty consciences and self-condemnation weigh heavily upon us.



Jeremiah was no different than any of us.  His response to God’s words of “And before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you and ordained you as a prophet unto the nations” (vv.5-6), is one we’ve all likely given at one time or another:



“Oh, I’m too young, Lord.”

“Or, I lack sufficient ability” (like Moses’ citing his inferior speaking ability—Ex. 4:10).

Yet, we must remember Who’s speaking here and His ability to do whatsoever He pleases.



Look again at His initial words to Jeremiah (and us):

“Before I formed you in the belly I knew you.”

Too often our scientific minds and understanding of the nuts-n-bolts of conception, pregnancy, etc., prevent us from remembering that God is the One Who “forms us in the belly, i.e., our mother’s womb.”  That’s why it’s good that we spend time “chewing the cud” from time-to-time on Ps. 139—for it reminds us of God’s intimate knowledge and involvement in our lives from the moment we’re created.



Again, never forget that He knows everything about you:  The “number of hairs on your head” (Mt. 10:30). . .every tear that you’ll shed in a lifetime (Ps. 56:8). . .every joy and sorrow in your life. . .what you did yesterday and what you’ll be doing 10 years from now.  And, thankfully, He’s promised to give us “Grace sufficient” in everything (II Cor. 12:9-10) and cover our great sinfulness by His great Mercy (Lam. 3:21-23).



Why not pause right now and look at the spiral patterns on each one of your fingers?  It’s no accident that your fingerprints are unique to you.  Likewise, no two persons have the same genes or DNA—simply because our Creator God chose to make us one-of-a-kind.



So, the next time you’re feeling down or wondering if God cares, remember His words to Jeremiah:  “Before you were formed in your mother’s belly, I knew you and I have a special plan for your life.”  Then, ask Him to help you fulfill that wonderful plan (Jer. 29:11-14) as He guides your steps each day (Ps. 37:23; Prov. 3:5-6).

By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated June 23, 2010