Lord, You have searched me and known me.
Psalm 139:1 (NASB)
Series Focus: “Along the Way”
Do you ever feel lost in the sea of people, insignificant and unseen? Do you tire of the day-in and day-out routines and ask yourself if any of it matters? Do you feel alone in your struggles, remaining silent in your suffering?
No matter how meaningless and lonely you may feel and regardless of the secrets you may keep, there is One who sees all, knows all, and is with you always. Almighty God has known you since He formed you in your mother’s womb. He knows each hair on your head and your every word, action, and intention of your heart.
In the Old Testament, God visited His people through priests and prophets. Encounters with the Spirit of the Living God in the Old Testament transitioned to encounters in person with Jesus—the Word made flesh. Jesus knew all the Father knew, and He brought the knowledge of God to the multitudes as He walked and spoke among them. He intentionally visited the people to reveal truth to them, and to share the power and love of God.
In John 4, Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well. They engaged in a deep discussion about worship. In that conversation, Jesus identified several facts about the woman’s life. Awe-struck, the woman rushed to all in the village to tell them about this Man. In John 4:29 (NKJV), she says:
“Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”
Jesus knew all the intimate details. Though the woman had endured secret struggles, possible regrets, and probable shame, Jesus did not condemn her. Instead, He enraptured her attention by sharing with her His Living Water. The woman experienced the immense love of God in her meeting with Jesus and then shared Him with all she knew.
In another encounter, found in Luke 4, Jesus became aware of the illness of Simon’s mother-in-law. There’s no recorded conversation retold; no words the woman had spoken to Jesus; and no known words Jesus spoke to the woman. Verses 38-39 (NASB) simply state this:
Then He got up and left the synagogue, and entered Simon’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her. And standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and she immediately got up and served them.
Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering in silence. She didn’t ask a thing from Jesus. Her family asked Jesus to help her. Jesus spoke to the fever, the woman was healed, and she rose up to serve her household. Jesus knew exactly how to heal her of the specific illness, with no explanation, no description of symptoms, and no examination. He knows.
Both women, after experiencing moments with Jesus, took action. The woman at the well ran to tell others about Jesus. Simon’s mother-in-law got up to serve. When we spend time with Jesus, it will compel us to act. His compassion and all-knowing presence fuel us to share Him. His power and provision inspire us to serve.
Encounters with Jesus can be full of instruction, correction, and direction. But they don’t have to include conversation. Sometimes sitting in silence and resting in His presence is more than enough for His power to prevail in our lives.
Jesus knows your unspoken struggles and He sees your silent sufferings.
You are never alone. You matter. Your life abounds with purpose. He is more than enough for you. Trust Him. Seek Him. Rest with Him. He knows you and He cares about all things with you…right down to every single strand of hair on your head. He knows.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Psalm 139; Jeremiah 1:5, 12:3, 29:11; Hosea 5:3; Nahum 1:7; Luke 4:38-39; John 4:3-26, 10:14; 1 Corinthians 8:3
