He is All Knowing

The Bible has roughly 300 prophecies about Jesus. Who he would be, how he would be born, and how he would die. And that is just a portion of prophecies in the Bible. It’s not including the many prophecies about the nation of Israel as they were disciplined for turning away from their God. Every single one of these unequivocally came to pass. How is it possible that a detail as small as Jesus having no broken bones, written hundreds a years before, happen just as predicted? Well, it could be a coincidence, but 300 coincidences all centered around one man? No way. The only explanation is that the Bible is God inspired, and he knows what will happen before it happens.

Look at David’s 139th Psalm, verses 1-4:

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 afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

David is sure that God knows all there is to know about him, even the words he will speak. He goes on to speak of God’s presence everywhere and then declares in verses 15-16:

My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

David knew that his life was sovereignly commissioned before he was ever conceived.

And God’s knowledge is not just constrained to our lives or his purposes in the world. In fact, it is not constrained at all. At this very second now, God knows what every subatomic particle is doing, how they are working together to hold the mass of each object and person in this universe, and outside this universe – if indeed heaven exists outside of it and is comprised of these particles. He knows each and every person and creature at this moment – their state of being, their thoughts, and emotions. He knows all actions and consequences, whether from scientific laws like gravity or from the actions of beings. From the smallest microbe on earth to the magnificent power of solar fusion in the largest star, he knows all of what takes place each and every second. And in all of this, it is not taxing to him at all.

Now consider the fact that he never forgets. Each moment for eons past is recorded in his memory. Everything. And he knows all of what will happen for eternity going forward. Each second filled with trillions upon trillions of atoms, actions, reactions, and the thoughts and decisions of people. Forever in the past; forever into the future. Still it is not difficult for him to bring to mind all of what has happened, is happening now, or will happen. He can think of it all at once with ease.

Do you feel yet how life changing this is? There is not an inch of this whole universe that God does not hold sway over. He knows all of what has happened and what will happen. He purposes all of what has happened and will happen with the power of his word. His love is endless, his wisdom is unsearchable, and his commitment to his promises is unbreakable. And with his infinite power, he is able to bring to pass all of what he divinely purposes. Nothing and no one can content with God or force him to do something he does not want.

So then, why is anxiety exploding like a cancerous tumor across our world? It is because the knowledge of God – his sovereign control and his commitment to our good – is not a reality people experience in life. They lead small lives, know small things, and do not approach the infinite. Their therapists challenge them to focus on themselves and what they think they need. The great truths of who God is, those that feed bottomless joy, are ridiculed and replaced with more “modern” thoughts. But we have ignored God for long enough now to see the obvious correlation: the further we push God out, the faster anxiety, loneliness, depression, anger, and a whole host of addictions grow. The worse this affects society, the more anxiety is fueled.

But what is the point to worrying at all? Firstly, worry does no good. Can you change anything by it? Absolutely not. Alexander Maclaren said in his sermon “Anxious Care,” (1859): “And what does your anxiety do? It does not empty to-morrow, brother, of its sorrows; but, ah! it empties to-day of its strength.”
Secondly, it robs you of joy. Since you have no control over ANYTHING that happens in this universe, why not let the one who does have control handle it? Everything has already been planned from the beginning, with your good in mind. Your worry will not change it and will just end up killing your joy. So, why are you inviting this cancer in? Why are you feeding it??

I know it’s not as easy as just turning off a switch. Some people have worried for so long that it is almost a comfort to them, an adiction that balms the soul. But squashing fear takes practice and purpose. The first step though is a shift in perspective and belief. If you believe God’s word, and you really should, than you must realize that trying to take control of the universe into your pathetically incapable hands is ridiculous! Especially when God is beyond capable and infinitely wiser than you.

I know it’s hard to hear, but I will tell you anyway because I love you.
It’s pride.
Downright, ugly, self-serving pride to think you could do it better than the one who made you and the whole universe with just a word. If you are worrying, than you are not trusting. If you are not trusting, then you are belittling God. You are telling him that he does not have the knowledge, wisdom, and power to do what needs to be done. You are accusing him of not having your best interest at heart. You are telling him that you doubt the promises he has made to you, that he is a promise breaker and a liar. And worst of all, in your puffed up opinion of yourself, you proclaim that you can do it better, somehow, by mulling it over in anguish. Did you realize that all of that is wrapped up in your worry? Well, it is.

Why do you think one of the most common commands in the Bible is not to fear? At least 500 verses! It is not easy to beat our pride into submission and trust God, but it is essential for our joy. A proper understanding of what is real will bring us joy, not what our prideful sin tells us. So start practicing now. When you feel like worrying, pull out one of those verses. I have a list that I keep on hand. I’ve linked it here. I am by nature a trusting person. I tend to think the best of people and generally figure things work out as they should. However, I still do battle everyday with trusting God’s promises. I am just as sinful as the rest of humanity. So I grab my list when needed; I have memorized a fair amount of these as well. The only way to fight a lie is with truth, and I have to fight everyday.

So rest in the knowledge that our God is all knowing – that there is nothing coming that he has not planned. Be mindful of where your thoughts dwell. If you find yourself worrying, use a promise verse to fight the lies that bounce around your thoughts. There are times when I have to beat myself into submission, repeating over and over, “I will not dishonor God by worrying about this. I will trust that he is for me.” Then I say my verses repeatedly until I feel the worry subside. And then I start again if it pops it head up anew. It is a fight that has to be fought everyday. But I promise, with practice, you will get better at it.